The persistent struggles of rural women and daughters from Bihar have earned global recognition on an international stage. During a ceremony held in the Italian capital of Rome, the documentary titled Mothers of Courage was honored with the UN SDG Action Award. Khushboo Awasthi travelled to Rome to accept the prestigious accolade on behalf of the collective efforts.
Honoring the Grassroots Struggles
Upon receiving the award, Khushboo Awasthi dedicated the achievement to Poonam Didi from Muzaffarpur, Urmila Didi from Patna, and the countless rural women who continuously fight for the education and empowerment of young girls. Following this global recognition, Poonam Didi expressed her delight and noted that Khushboo Awasthi has been dedicated to the education sector for a long time.
Efforts to promote education across multiple states, including Bihar, are being advanced through organizations such as Mantr for Change and Shikshalokam. Under a memorandum of understanding signed with the state education department, special initiatives focusing on adolescent empowerment were conducted through Meena Manch. These efforts prominently addressed critical social challenges such as child marriage and the high dropout rates among female students.
A Decades-Long Journey of Empowerment
Recalling her journey, Poonam Didi shared that she began her grassroots work by joining Mahila Samakhya in the Bandra block of Muzaffarpur and the Jhumri area of Sheohar. After associating with the Bihar Education Project in 1994, she spent the initial three years working across different regions of Bihar. From 1997 onward, she remained actively involved in education and women empowerment in Muzaffarpur until the Mahila Samakhya program concluded in 2016.
Resolving Rural School Challenges
According to Poonam Didi, the Shikshagram campaign connected with this current honor specifically targets rural schools and their unique challenges. The initiative brings students, teachers, parents, public representatives, and education department officials onto a single platform to deliberate on educational hurdles. Through collaborative efforts, practical solutions are then developed to address these concerns.
Recognition for Collective Dedication
Poonam Didi emphasized that the true recipients of this honor are the rural women who persistently strive to keep their daughters in school and eliminate social evils like child marriage. By mentioning these women on a global platform, Khushboo Awasthi elevated their dignity. This recognition belongs to the collective persistence of all women advancing the educational movement rather than any single individual or institution.
