Background

Subtle but pervasive gender stereotypes shape the experience of all girls transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. In many underserved communities across India, this can be a serious burden on a girl’s future. A study showed a striking correlation between unpaid domestic labour with rates of dropout. With an average increase of 10% of dropouts for every hour of unpaid domestic labour.

These biases dictate everything from the weight of household responsibilities to curbing academic aspirations, and even restricting going outside the house. UNICEF cites that girls spend a disproportionate 40% more time doing unpaid labour than boys. This gap was only widened during the COVID 19 pandemic with a staggering 66% of young girls doing household chores in comparison to 31% of boys in the same age range. 

While traditional education provides literacy, it rarely offers the psychological tools or social networks required to navigate and mitigate these gendered expectations. Without a reliable support system and the exposure it brings, these young women never find the confidence to tap into their true potential and pursue avenues beyond their expected gender roles.

This is why GirlWorld was founded. Our founder believes that real empowerment starts with a conversation. By building a dedicated network of trained peer mentors and international volunteers, a new generation of women will transition into adulthood ambitious and resilient.