Misinformation and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination have been reported as two main factors impacting the pace of vaccination in India. However, the six districts of Rajasthan have a different story to tell with re-opening of Skilling centres after the second lockdown.
With over 70% of the girls enrolled in skilling centres (4500 enrolled till date) under the project having received at least one dose of vaccination and over 1600 joining the Young Warriors program under YuWaah – an initiative by UNICEF, the girls here have become advocates of vaccination. Made possible with Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) supported and IPE Global implemented Project Manzil in collaboration with the Rajasthan Skill Department and Rajasthan Education Department and other partners.
Working across 1000 villages and 182 government schools in 6 districts (Udaipur, Jaipur, Tonk, Ajmer, Bhilwara and Dungarpur) of Rajasthan Manzil aims to empower adolescent girls through market driven vocational and life skills. Evidence indicates that a focus on economic empowerment of women especially adolescent girls with employability skills helps them exercise more influence within the household and may not marry early. A recent UNICEF report also states that by 2030 India will have the highest number of secondary school graduates, that is, 30 crore. However only 47% of these will have the basic skills to be employable as per GBC-Education 2030 Skills Scorecard. Lack of vocational training, work experience and life skills are often cited as primary reasons behind this. No doubt girl centered initiatives based on livelihoods, skills, information, community mobilization can significantly help to address socio-economic constraints and with the enrollment of around 4,500 girls in different skill courses and placement of about 200 girls in jobs till June 2021, these districts of Rajasthan are changing perceptions.