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Reimagining school systems

October 17, 2024

Reimagining school systems

Young people spend a crucial part of their lives at school. It shapes their beliefs about themselves and their place in the world. Breakthrough works with school systems to ensure that gender equality is embedded into educational systems, from policies and practices to curriculum and content so that an entire generation grows up in equality. As we build Gender Transformative School Systems with the state governments of Punjab and Odisha, we aim to train 66,000 educators and reach 4 million adolescents by 2028.

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Dr. Anita

Sharma , Campaign Ambassador

Moving communities toward gender equality
Gender norms are what a community collectively believes men and women should and should not do. Restrictive social beliefs hold girls back from education, employment, healthcare, leisure and so much more. When gender norms change, life changes completely for a girl.


Breakthrough’s flagship programme, ‘Taaron ki Toli’ engages with adolescents in schools and communities. While supporting young people in building negotiation and leadership skills, we work with families, educators, village leaders and other stakeholders to foster awareness and inter-generational dialogue. As gender norms begin to change at the individual, community and systemic levels,the entire community moves towards equality and justice.

Here’s how ‘Taaron Ki Toli’ (Gang of Stars), brings life-skills based gender education to 11-18 year-olds.

Beginning Early: Our foundational two–year gender equity programme for 11-14 year-olds uses interactive facilitation in schools and communities to examine norms, teach negotiation skills and build agency around aspirations.

Older Adolescents: Our three-year leadership journey supports adolescents (15-18 year-olds) in shaping their voice, claiming their rights, and navigating aspirations, relationships, health and safety all while building equitable, inclusive communities.

Young Adults: Our three-year transformative programme equips young adults ((19-24 years) with the vision and consciousness to become gender-just leaders who challenge power and shift entrenched social norms in their communities.

We’re building ecosystems that value girls, prioritise their rights and catalyse change in 4 states:
• Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Ghazipur, Maharajganj
• Haryana: Rohtak, Panipat, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Karnal, Gurugram, Faridabad
• Jharkhand: Hazaribagh
• Delhi