Steps initiated by the Narendra Modi Government to educate and empower girls came in for praise from US First lady Michelle Obama at a special event hosted by the World Bank here on Wednesday.
“I am thrilled that countries like Ghana and India and Rwanda are already doing such important work as part of this effort — from scholarships and mentorship opportunities, to innovative programmes to break down the cultural barriers that keep girls out of school,” she said.
“We need you to work with the Bank to develop programmes that will meet the needs of girls in your countries. And if your country has already reached gender parity in education, then we need you to step up and support countries where disparities still exist,” the First lady said in her remarks at the event, titled “let Girls learn!”.
Reacting to the World Bank’s announcement of $2.5 billion of funds in support of girls’ education over the next five years, she said: “That is truly amazing. And this isn’t just a breathtaking investment of resources, it’s also a powerful statement of mission.”
“It’s an expression of our belief in the power of education to transform the lives and prospects of millions of girls worldwide, as well as the prospects of their families, their communities, and, of course, their countries. And it’s also an affirmation of these girls’ extraordinary promise,” she said.
Indian Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh, speaking at the event, highlighted the Modi Government’s “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” initiative to make quality education for adolescent girls accessible and affordable,
“The goal is to achieve an enrollment of 90 per cent by 2017, and universal retention by 2020. In five years, enrollment of Girls has improved from 58.70 to 78.94. Gender Parity Index has increased from 0.88 to 1. And there is sharp reduction in Gender gap,” Singh said and touched on the national incentive scheme that gifts money to young women from disadvantaged backgrounds when they turn 18 and have passed their 10th grade exams.