Daughter’s Day is just around the corner and we’re sure you have your plans of celebrating the day with your precious ones. But we got in touch with someone who has a special plan for daughters all over Dhaka and India. We are talking about Kaavya Rajesh, who is the co-founder of ‘My Daughter Is Precious’. It is a nonprofit initiative that raises funds and awareness for the higher education of underprivileged girls. She was all of 14 years when she started with initiative along with her father.
Kaavya, who grew up in Gurgaon and Dhaka (for 3 years), is currently a first-year student at the University of Southern California (USC). She received a full-tuition scholarship to study Communications and International Relations at USC. An avid writer, Kaavya is extremely passionate about gender equality, especially in education, the workforce, and in media representation. Scroll down to read our insightful conversation with her.
Hi Kaavya, first of all, tell us how did you think of starting this initiative?
I remember, in March 2016, I watched the documentary ‘Girl Rising’ in my Geography class at my school in Dhaka. It was about how 65 million girls across the world couldn’t get an education. The stories of the girls in the documentary, along with the inequality I saw in Dhaka and Gurgaon, shocked me and inspired me to want to do something to help. I went home and spoke to my parents about this. And together we came up with the idea of ‘My Daughter is Precious’.
And could you explain what’s the concept of this initiative?
My father and I decided to combine our passion for photography along with an idea that my mother read about. We go to lower socioeconomic areas in Dhaka, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai and speak to families. Especially to the fathers–about the importance of educating their daughters. We give them a polaroid picture of themselves to keep as a constant reminder to cherish their daughters. I then write up their stories and post them on our Facebook page “My Daughter is Precious” to generate more awareness. So far, we have covered over 50 families across India and Bangladesh.
Soon the concept gained traction and I wanted to use the platform to make a concrete impact in their lives. Thus, in addition to raising awareness, we decided to raise money too. In 2016, we partnered with BitGiving and Nanhi Kalli (a Mumbai-based NGO) to raise INR 3.0 lakhs through crowd-funding. That helped send 108 girls to primary school for a year.
But we didn’t want to stop there. During our conversations with the families we met, my parents and I realized most girls stayed in school until class 10. But were then forced to drop out. Their parents did not see the point of paying their school fees simply because ‘the girls were only destined to get married or do domestic chores’.
That’s why we decided to select a few girls and see them through high school and college. We collect the money through crowdfunding and send it directly to the girls’ schools/colleges. We do this through our partner, an NGO called Shikshadaan based out of Gurgaon. We keep the donors updated on the girls’ progress so that they know how their money is being put to use. We also mentor the girls through the GLOW program. So that they stay motivated and on course to complete their graduation.
That’s amazing work, Kavya. Can you tell us about the impact MDIP has created so far?
- So far we have raised a total of nearly Rs. 10 lakhs and have helped send 9 girls to the undergraduate college.
- We are planning to support 4 more this year.
- I also reached out to other students who helped fundraise for MDIP. They performed in our annual fundraising concert A Song for a Voice (which has raised Rs. 2 lakhs).
- Six of our students–Sujipriya, Gayathri, Pooja, Deepa, Sneha and Abhilasha have completed graduation and have gone for further studies to help them to become teachers and gain financial independence.
- If any colleges that support underprivileged girls require funding, we would love for them to reach out to us on Facebook or Email.
What changes do you wish to see in society so that this country becomes a better place for daughters?
The idea behind My Daughter Is Precious is valuing daughters instead of being ashamed of them or feeling burdened by them. My hope is that changing this mindset will end female infanticide and foeticide. And that people will celebrate having a daughter just as much as they celebrate having a son.
As you’d know, 22nd September is Daughter’s Day. What would you like to say to parents who have daughters?
I’ve been extremely lucky to have gotten the opportunities and support from my parents to follow my dreams. To other parents who have daughters, I’d like to say this.
“Your daughter is no less precious than a son. She can accomplish the same things. Maybe even more, if you give her the encouragement and support she needs to reach her potential. I’m so happy to see that the number of girls in higher education is increasing. But parents need to ensure that they don’t subconsciously limit their daughters by emphasising marriage or domestic chores instead of education and independence. Girls should be exposed to role models–especially in traditionally male-dominated industries. And should be reminded that they can do anything they set their mind to.”
Such beautiful words! But people, it’s up to us to convert these thoughts into a reality. And we hope you learnt a lot from our insightful conversation with Kavya.
For more information about My Daughter is Precious, check out their website and their Facebook page.
Featured Image Source: Facebook/My Daughter is Precious
