Celebrating champions of gender justice, a great example of SHEF’s work: Rural Development Minister
Lucknow desk (R L Pandey): Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) in collaboration with the Department of Psychology and Institute of Women’s Studies organised the culmination ceremony of SHEF’s annual girls rights campaign - India’s Daughters Campaign 2024 - 25. State Minister of Rural Development Vijay Lakshmi Gautam, who was also the chief guest, said on the occasion, “SHEF has done commendable work in educating children for gender justice.
Government school teachers and children have worked very hard and brought about positive change. Stopping over 400 child marriages and getting teachers and children to report over 1500 cases of gender injustice is no mean feat.”
The Aarohini program launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath promotes gender education and critical feminist pedagogy to empower students to challenge patriarchal norms in their communities. The initiative has reached over 2.85 lakh students and 35,000 teachers across seven states and 1,600 schools, transforming classrooms into platforms for gender advocacy and justice.
Honouring Champions of Gender Justice at the India’s Daughters Campaign 2025
The Closing and Felicitation Ceremony of India's Daughters Campaign 2025 celebrated the courage and leadership of students and teachers who took bold steps to advance gender justice in their communities. The ceremony was held at the Malviya Hall of Lucknow University.
Several young changemakers were recognised for their real-life interventions. Raveena (13) from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV), Palia stopped a child marriage with police support. Roshni (13) from KGBV Sadar, Basti, re-enrolled herself in school despite family resistance. Shivani (14) stood up to domestic violence to protect her mother. Boys like Devendra and Ritik Raj prevented the early marriage of sisters and brothers and took action against violence. Akhilesh encouraged regular school attendance among boys in his community. These students demonstrated that empowered youth can be powerful agents of change.
Teachers too were honoured for their frontline role in protecting children. Nisha Mishra of KGBV Suratganj and Ram Pal of UPS Bareti Jalalpur intervened in numerous cases of child marriage and abuse. Teachers like Pinku and Amita prevented violence and promoted girls’ education through consistent advocacy.
The ceremony also acknowledged dedicated educators from across the Aarohini network, whose work continues to drive systemic change. These awardees exemplify the power of feminist education in building a more just and equal society.
Also in attendance were the Pro Vice Chancellor of Lucknow University Prof Manuka Khanna, Ekta Singh - Additional State Project Director, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Vishnu Kant Pandey, Additional Director, UP Secondary Education, Vivek Nautiyal, Additional Director, UP Secondary Education, Mukesh Singh, Varisht Vishesh, Balika Shiksha, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan.