Girl child at the school

Challenge: I live in a developing, democratic country which is one of the fastest growing and

exciting economies in the world. While, my country has made significant progress in many

areas of health, education, nutrition, sanitation etc, there are still many problems of

inequality, poverty, unemployment that continue to exist, although the numbers are coming

down. One area that continues to pose a challenge is school drop outs of girl child by the time

she reaches middle school (age of puberty) especially in very poor families. Girl child

education is one of most important social need in today’s world. Only an educated girl can

fend for herself, provide for herself which gives her the freedom to grow and exploit her full

potential. I want to use design thinking approach to find a solution for this problem

Stakeholders: The parents, the child herself, teachers, neighbourhood, society at large,

availability of NGOs, role models

Stakeholder map

Selection: Two tools that I would use in my research

1. Journey mapping

2. Visualization

a) Short summary of the tool:

Journey mapping: Journey mapping covers the entire journey and the touch points the girl

child undertakes from preparing for school to return back home and some of the various

touch points. This will be a useful tool to identify possible problem areas that can be

addressed to solve the issue of school drop-outs.

Visualization: visualization techniques are one form of design thinking tool that helps to

identify and articulate the challenges face and make them vivid. Also the possible options are

also made vivid

Application and Insights

Journey mapping will help me identify the possible touch points that would be a moment of

insights. For instance

The key touch points of insights would be

 School uniform and books – very poor families may not be able to afford

 Availability of other girl child to accompany- taboo to send the girl out after she

reaches a certain age alone to school in conservative villages

 Availability of other girls in the class

 Access to private washrooms for girls – many a times this is a big issue

 Availability of lady teachers – some village schools may have all male teachers

Visualization would help me to vividly depict the challenges and opportunities present.

Depicting of the school infrastructure would unearth potential problem areas. Similarly,

visualization of girl child continuing in school and going on to make a better life for her will

encourage school participation. Visualization also will help to depict student-teacher

interaction, availability of safe space in school, social support availability, role models,

sufficient play area etc.

Approach: Journey mapping and visualization will be the two tools I would use to

understand the challenges of girl child drop-outs from school, ideate possible options and

look at an available range of options for the stakeholders to choose themselves. I wouldn’t

make any changes to the tool selection next time around too as I am satisfied with the results.


Girl child at the school Challenge : I live in a developing , democratic country which is one of the fastest growing and exciting economies in the world . While , my country has made significant progress in many areas of health , education , nutrition , sanitation etc , there are still many problems of inequality , poverty , unemployment that continue to exist , although the numbers are coming down . One area that continues to pose a challenge is school drop outs of girl child by the time she reaches middle school ( age of puberty ) especially in very poor families . Girl child education is one of most important social need in today ’s world . Only an educated girl can fend for herself , provide for herself which gives her the freedom to grow and exploit her full potential . I want to use design thinking approach to find a solution for this problem Stakeholders : The parents , the child herself , teachers , neighbourhood , society at large , availability of NGOs , role models Stakeholder map Selection : Two tools that I would use in my research 1 . Journey mapping 2 . Visualization a ) Short summary of the tool : Journey mapping : Journey mapping covers the entire journey and the touch points the girl child undertakes from preparing for school to return back home and some of the various touch points . This will be a useful tool to identify possible problem areas that can be addressed to solve the issue of school drop - outs . Visualization : visualization techniques are one form of design thinking tool that helps to identify and articulate the challenges face and make them vivid . Also the possible options are also made vivid Application and Insights Journey mapping will help me identify the possible touch points that would be a moment of insights . For instance The key touch points of insights would be  School uniform and books – very poor families may not be able to afford  Availability of other girl child to accompany- taboo to send the girl out after she reaches a certain age alone to school in conservative villages  Availability of other girls in the class  Access to private washrooms for girls – many a times this is a big issue  Availability of lady teachers – some village schools may have all male teachers Visualization would help me to vividly depict the challenges and opportunities present . Depicting of the school infrastructure would unearth potential problem areas . Similarly , visualization of girl child continuing in school and going on to make a better life for her will encourage school participation . Visualization also will help to depict student - teacher interaction , availability of safe space in school , social support availability , role models , sufficient play area etc . Approach : Journey mapping and visualization will be the two tools I would use to understand the challenges of girl child drop - outs from school , ideate possible options and look at an available range of options for the stakeholders to choose themselves . I would n’t make any changes to the tool selection next time around too as I am satisfied with the results .