Gaining Independence Through Pratham

Today my group and I learned about a program called Pratham, which helps those who are of age gain work skills and financial independence for their families. The program has many schools that offer guidance and education for an array of careers such as welding, health care, and beauty. On this day we went to one of the beauty schools for women students. After learning more about their family customs and how they strive to later have a career, I was shocked to hear how many of them struggled with support from their families in doing so. Where I am from, it usually expected to have plans after high school that involve you becoming independent, especially financially. The difference in India is that women are expected to instantly get married off and start families without having to be “the provider”. That caused many women to feel that they do not have value, and therefore some venture out to schools supported by Pratham to get an education to help them have careers that will let them finally feel that they are worthy in their household by being a second supporter. The struggles they faced in doing so made me feel grateful for the opportunities that I can consider a luxury in my country, and one day I hope that many countries eventually grant fair access to an education and job skills to all women worldwide, because not only does it grant dignity but as well as autonomy.