Girls write letters asking for change: World Vision India brings out a compilation of letters written by girls to decision makers, voicing their concerns

The UN observance that has the theme of ‘Power of the adolescent Girl: Vision 2030,’ stresses on the importance of the right of adolescent girls to a safe, educated and healthy life. World Vision India, a child-focussed NGO has brought out a compilation of letters written by young girls, highlighting their needs and aspirations.

 Titled ‘From Me to You’, the collection features letters written by girls from 25 states of the country, and reminds decision makers what the country owes them.

“My sister Indu got married at the age of 15,” writes Sonal from Gujarat, adding that she would continue her studies, unlike her sister. “People from higher castes do not let people from lower castes enter their homes,” writes Pinky from Uttarakhand. Among the needs stressed by the girls, access to higher education, toilets, prevention of early marriages and gender bias seem to rank high consistently across the different states. Meena from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, is disturbed by the lack of proper sanitation facilities in her school. The school toilet does not have water and are dirty, she says. She is also bothered by the poor drainage in her village, and fears that the water stagnation would lead to breeding of mosquitoes and lead to “the spread of harmful diseases.”  

The release of the book comes at a time when the world is gearing up to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of targets proposed by the United Nations, to be fulfilled by 2030. With gender equality, quality education and good health featuring in the SDGs, India would be honouring its commitments if the girls’ voices are paid attention to. 

“The stories give an insight into what the girl children of our country really feel. Poverty in India is feminine – girls and women are the most affected in vulnerable situations. Empowerment of girls needs to be an approach to comprehensive development, rather than being reduced to an activity. With the Sustainable Development Goals now in place, it is imperative that none of our girls are left behind,” said Reni Jacob from World Vision India.