Mothers in rural India are turning familiar village gatherings into places to discuss girls’ education, early marriage and the possibilities available to the next generation.
Mothers of Courage, a grassroots campaign within the Shikshagraha movement in Bihar, received the Creativity Award at the UN SDG Action Awards in Rome on 29 October 2026.
Conversations that begin in familiar places
The initiative brings together first-generation literate mothers, women who have had no formal schooling, and other community members in gatherings known as Shiksha Chaupals. Rather than relying solely on formal meetings, the programme uses village spaces and locally led discussion to explore why girls should remain in education.
Education and early marriage
Conversations address the risks of leaving school early and the importance of choices available to girls and families. The approach recognizes that decisions affecting education often take place within households and communities, where mothers can have influential voices.
A global award for local leadership
The organizers have described extensive community pledges supporting education. Such pledges express intentions and participation; they should not be mistaken for independently measured reductions in child marriage or increases in school completion.
The recognition celebrates a creative model for community engagement. Its long-term results will depend on what happens after the conversations: sustained attendance, resources, family support and safe opportunities for girls.
For NewsPositive, the hopeful development is that women who have themselves faced educational barriers are helping shape a different future for younger generations.
Sources: UN SDG Action Awards project profile; Deutsche Welle award report.
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