| Introduction: Contextual introduction. Body: Explain significance of multi-pronged approach in strengthening leadership abilities among adolescent girls. Conclusion: Write a way forward. |
Today the world is home to a transformative generation of 900 million adolescent girls and young women. They would become the largest segment of women leaders, change makers, entrepreneurs, and innovators in history if provided with resources and opportunities. By offering equal opportunity to women, India could add an estimated $770 billion to its GDP by 2025.
Multi-pronged approach in strengthening leadership abilities among adolescent girls:
- Women at all levels of society must have inclusion in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT). EdTech can bridge the accessibility gap in education through hybrid learning models,
- There is a need to build and scale up solutions customised to the language, cultural nuances.
- Internet accessibility can give girls equal access to knowledge through digital inclusion.
- There is a need to counter the stereotypes against girls. It can be done by inclusion of grade appropriate STEM, financial education, and entrepreneurship syllabi into the educational curriculum for girls.
- Elements like Olympiads, innovation labs, bootcamps and competitions should be included in the educational curriculum for girls.
- Women need to be empowered to make decisions about their bodies. They should have freedom to decide about their sexual choices. They also need to be free from all forms of violence and harassment.
- Policies that provide services, social protection and basic infrastructure to women and create more paid jobs in the care economy are urgently needed.
- The inclusion of women in sports is necessary. It can build their self-confidence. It will promote leadership in women, strengthen their self-belief, and teach them the importance of teamwork.
- Economic empowerment is crucial to recognise, reduce and redistribute unpaid care and domestic work. They should have shared responsibility within the household and equal participation in decision making spaces.
The public perception of men as leaders of STEM, finance, and entrepreneurship should be changed. Moreover, maternity leave, flexible work arrangements, childcare facilities in the workplace etc. should be promoted.
