A people’s movement towards education equity
Women Leadership Collective
The Women Leadership Collective is focused on empowering women and leveraging community involvement to improve schools.
We aim to reach 100 Gram Panchayats through self-help groups by 2025.
Shikshagraha’s 3E strategy (Engage, Empower, Educate) unites government, CSOs, and local communities in micro-collectives to drive gender equity in education. Diverse actors, including self-help groups (SHGs), collaborate to co-create and implement gender-focused initiatives.
Shikshagraha evaluates impact through Micro-Improvement Projects (MIPs), tracking the progress of gender equity initiatives at school and community levels. Technology supports monitoring with data-driven reviews, nudges, and recognition.
Shikshagraha builds a hyper-local network of CSOs, school committees, panchayats, self-help groups, media, and communities to support gender equity. By aligning local actors, the network creates awareness, allocates resources, and drives collaborative action for sustainable, community-driven impact on gender equity.
State officials, SCERT, and DIETs provide direction and resources to implementing partners, designing training workshops and micro-improvement projects for teachers and school heads. Shikshagraha co-creates gender equity programmes with local organisations, while support structures like learning circles and recognition ensure successful implementation.
Every step towards education
We have joined hands with two remarkable women’s self-help groups, Jyoti Mahila Samakhya and Srishti Mahila Samakhya—to bring to life a prototype in the heart of Bihar, spanning the districts of Muzaffarpur and Sheohar.
Through this initiative, our goal is to revive Meena Manch, a UNICEF program, designed to uplift and guide young girls on their educational journey, ensuring they receive the support they deserve.
We are also working to revive School Management Committees (SMCs) in the region, empowering them to champion the cause of girls’ education and a supportive community fabric around their dreams and aspirations.
Together, we are cultivating an environment where education blossoms, and girls soar towards a brighter future.
A dedicated team is overseeing these efforts at the cluster, block, and district levels, ensuring that local leadership is involved at every step in the movement.
I’m Urmila, and my journey with Mahila Samakhya, SHG, began in 1992, when I joined as a resource person in Bettiah. I was drawn to the mission of empowering women and was inspired by the dedication of the team. My background as a Vahini activist helped me connect with and mobilise the women in the area.
In 1999, I took on the role of APO in Gaya, and later became the District Program Coordinator (DPC) in 2006.
My time as DPC was significant—Gaya saw the first-ever Nirmal Panchayats in the state, with six panchayats achieving this recognition during my tenure.
In 2006, I was honoured with the Excellency Award by Sulabh International for my work in sanitation.
However, my real reward has been seeing women in my community rise and thrive. That is the power of encouragement and collective action!
