Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) is a grassroots organization dedicated to providing quality education to girls from disadvantaged communities in India. Over three decades, SHEF has reached more than five million children through its network of schools and outreach programs. Using a feminist rights-based approach, SHEF has implemented innovative programs to provide girls with the tools and opportunities they need to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Girls in India face many challenges that prevent them from accessing quality educational opportunities. In rural areas such as Uttar Pradesh, where SHEF primarily implements programs, girls are at a high risk for violence and dropping out of school. The state is home to the highest number of Indian girls and women who were married during childhood, and in 2024, it reported the highest rate of domestic violence in India. SHEF is committed to changing this reality, leveraging education to address deeply-rooted societal issues.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, SHEF will provide educational opportunities to 200 girls from underprivileged communities at its Prerna Girls School. With this project, SHEF will focus on developing girls’ ability to be capable agents in their lives through a holistic education program that provides both academic training and leadership development. Participants will learn about their rights and gain skills to define their own life’s path, allowing them to realize their worth and potential.
Through this project, SHEF seeks to inspire change and empower girls to lead lives with dignity and respect. As an end goal, the organization hopes to challenge systemic inequalities that prevent girls in Uttar Pradesh from reaching their full potential.
To learn more about SHEF, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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