Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation have announced a multi-year partnership that aims to reach one million girls and young women across India. The program is designed for girls aged 14 to 20 in rural and urban communities and will begin in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. It focuses on life skills, digital and financial literacy, and information on future pathways.
Who the program is for
The program is meant for girls and young women between the ages of 14 and 20. It covers both rural and urban communities and focuses on building life skills and confidence. It is intended to help girls make informed choices about the next stage of their lives.
The program has four focus areas.
- Life skills: Building confidence and self-esteem, strengthening decision-making and leadership, and developing skills to deal with everyday challenges.
- Digital and financial literacy: Building the knowledge and confidence to use digital tools and financial services safely and effectively.
- Choice and agency: Helping girls build the confidence and skills to make informed decisions and navigate social and cultural influences on their safety, mobility, education and work opportunities.
- Future pathways: Providing information on education, livelihoods, employment and entrepreneurship, so girls have a better understanding of the options available to them.
How it will run
The program is a two-year initiative, jointly developed by Reliance Foundation and The Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation. It is being designed together with the non-profit Girl Effect, which is supporting the development of the curriculum and learning resources for girls. The program will include in-person and digital training and capacity building, delivered with grassroots implementation partners.
About the partners
Reliance Foundation’s initiatives since 2010 have covered education, sports and livelihood opportunities, with the aim of increasing agency for women and girls. The Estée Lauder Companies and its Charitable Foundation have partnered with NGOs in India for more than 20 years, supporting women and girls through education and entrepreneurship, among other areas.
The partnership comes as India’s economic growth is creating new opportunities, with greater participation of women in the workforce seen as a key lever for change.
Comments are closed