Girls' Empowerment
Girls Resource Centers
Village-level Girls Resource Centres (GRCs) provide a safe space for young girls to share concerns, support each other academically, and build social capital. GRCs empower girls through life skills, sports, vocational training, career counseling, library access, and learning by playing. These centres aim to help girls become independent, make informed life decisions, explore career opportunities, and emerge as role models and change agents.
As of 2025-26, a network of 152 GRCs is engaging 4,337 girls, including 481 Girl Peer Leaders. GRCs also provide information on job vacancies, trainings, and courses to support career aspirations.
Young Married Girls Groups
Young Married Girls Groups are a vital initiative by Ibtada to support young women in navigating life after marriage. Led by trained female facilitators, these groups provide a safe space for newly married girls to discuss nutrition, reproductive health, hygiene, women’s rights, and the importance of delaying pregnancy. The initiative also builds understanding around sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and encourages continued education. It fosters peer learning, emotional support, and informed decision-making.
By FY 2025-26, Ibtada had formed 75 groups, reaching 1,190 women, including 215 peer leaders who now guide and empower other young married girls in their communities.
Career Counselling
To guide and support girls in goal setting, career counselling sessions are conducted in Govt. school. (class 9th & 10th) based on a module prepared by Ibtada team. The camps also provide guidance to explore new sectors and job opportunities available. Ibtada also supports the girls in preparing for various competitive examinations for government jobs.
Boys Resource Centers
Boys Resource Centers (BRCs) are a key initiative by Ibtada to promote gender equality by engaging adolescent boys in transformative learning. These centers provide a safe and reflective space where boys explore themes of gender sensitivity, equality, rights, and responsibilities through regular sessions and activities. The program nurtures leadership by identifying and mentoring "Badlav ke Rahi" – young change agents who advocate for positive social norms within their communities.
By the end of FY 2025-26, 101 BRCs had reached 2,413 boys, including 386 “Badlav ke Rahi” leaders, shaping a generation of informed, empathetic, and responsible young men.
Life Skills Sessions
An initiative to build confidence, provide exposure, awareness and leadership skills of young girls to negotiate better with the challenges of life. The program is conducted based on a life-skills education module focused on important life skills such as self-identity, communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving, goal setting, adolescence & reproductive health, and gender-based violence. The curriculum is designed for one calendar year and is delivered through sessions with adolescent girls and boys at the village level.
Skill Development
This initiative connects youth, after career counselling, to traditional and non-traditional courses offered by RSLDC and NSDC through institutional partnerships, with a few courses designed and oriented to meet field demand.
