Forty-three per cent of all Indian women aged 20-24 were married before the age of 18; twice the number of adolescent mothers die during pregnancy than those aged 20-34 years; and 22.5 per cent of girls aged 15-19 in India face physical or sexual violence, a majority of it in their own homes.
Only a strong wave of change can improve this situation – and this requires collaboration of non-profit organizations, philanthropists, corporates, foundations, impact investors, policymakers and government.
The recent Dasra Philanthropy Week (5-7 March) looked at innovative solutions and interventions to address the social and developmental issues. To provide impetus to this cause, Piramal Foundation announced its partnership in the five-year, $14 million Dasra-Kiawah Trust-USAID Alliance partnership that was launched last year. The week also saw the announcement of the Dasra Girl Power awards, which recognize and support high-impact organizations that work to empower adolescent girls in India. Chosen from a pool of 196 applicants and 17 finalists, Centre for Unfolding Learning Potentials, Institute of Health Management, Pachod and Vacha Charitable Trust were the winners of Rs 10 lakh (around US$16,500) each.
Dasra Philanthropy Week concluded on an optimistic note with partners, stakeholders and key decision-makers pledging their support for Dasra’s efforts to build an ecosystem for adolescent girls in India. (Pictured: Giving an identity to HER (left to right): Paresh Parasnis, Piramal Foundation; Sanjay Kapur, USAID; Lynne Smitham, Kiawah Trust; and Smarinita Shetty, Dasra.)
For more information
http://www.dasraphilanthropyweek.org
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