CRY Conducts ‘Walk to EmpowHER’ in Port Blair to Champion Girls’ Education

on Saturday, November 30, in Port Blair as part of its nationwide campaign ‘Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai.’ The walk commenced at the iconic Cellular Jail and concluded at Triranga Park, aiming to raise awareness about the barriers hindering Indian girls from completing higher secondary education and to emphasize the urgent need for collective action.
Shri Manoj Kumar, IPS, Superintendent of Police, South Andaman, flagged off the walk and underscored the importance of awareness in ensuring girls complete their education. Speaking at the event, Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman District, emphasized, “It is vital for all girls to complete their education, at least up to the 12th standard. Economic instability, combined with other social challenges, is the primary reason for girls dropping out. I firmly believe that every child belongs in school, and I extend my full support to re-enroll any dropout child unconditionally.”
Shri Sudeep Rai Sharma, Chairperson of Port Blair Municipal Council, highlighted the link between education and national progress: “The nation will truly progress when every girl is educated. I urge all the students here to complete their higher education and inspire others in their communities to do the same.”
Farida Bibi, CRY’s representative in Andaman and founder of Hope Foundation, addressed critical issues faced by children in the region, including school dropouts, child labour, child marriage, substance abuse, and mental health challenges. She called on participants to amplify the message of ‘Poori Padhai Desh Ki Bhalai’ across all societal sectors.
John Roberts, Regional Director of CRY (South), elaborated on the campaign’s objectives, noting, “While India has made significant strides in primary education, transitioning to higher secondary education remains a major challenge. According to UDISE+ 2022, only three out of five girls continue beyond Grade 10. Barriers such as poverty, gender discrimination, child marriage, and safety concerns disproportionately impact girls, leading to dropouts and limiting their futures.”
The event served as a rallying call to address systemic barriers and create a supportive environment where every girl can access and complete her education.