KHPT, in partnership with Ashraya Hastha Trust, launched the “Sphoorthi-Girl Leads Girl” Adolescent Girl Role Model Project for Social Transformation for Yadgir district. The formal launch was done at the IAS Officers’ Association in Bengaluru on June 7 with 27 adolescent girls and 18 parents from Koppal and Yadgir districts.

The project in Yadgir aims to change gender norms by training rural adolescent girls to champion changes related to their education, health, and marriage. The three-year project will be implemented in two taluks of Shorapur and Hunsagi between 2022- 2025.

Adolescent girls from Koppal who have been part of Sphoorthi launched the project and shared how Sphoorthi empowered them to make decisions regarding their future. In a symbolic gesture of passing on responsibilities to their peers, the Koppal girls handed over a photo frame with a motivational message to the adolescent girls from Yadgir.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Reju M. T, I.A.S, Secretary to Government, Department of Women and Child Development and Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens, Government of Karnataka, said, “We can accomplish a great deal together. I am glad that KHPT and Ashraya Hastha have stepped up to continue this programme.”

“The success of Sphoorthi has been that girls have taken the program forward and we are seeing a change,” said Ms Priyanka Mary Francis, I.A.S, Director, Dept. of Women & Child Development, Government of Karnataka

Appreciating the adolescent girls for their courage and determination, Mr Dinesh K, Trustee, Ashraya Hastha Trust said, “You can do what you wish to do. Do not worry about failures.”

“This project can reach great heights in Yadgir with 5000 girls and their parents from Koppal as well as support from Ashraya Hastha and government officials,” said Mr Mohan HL, the CEO of KHPT.