An Experience from the Initiatives for Married Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment (IMAGE) Programme Intervention in Karnataka
When Lakshmi Left School
Lakshmi was 15 when she stopped going to school.
Her notebooks remained stacked in a corner, untouched. The uniform she once wore every day was folded away, replaced by responsibilities she had never imagined so soon. Marriage had come quietly but decisively, reshaping her life overnight.
In her village, this was not unusual. Girls like Lakshmi often left school early—not because they lacked ambition, but because circumstances decided otherwise. Education, once a daily routine, became a distant memory.
For months, Lakshmi barely spoke outside her home.
“I thought my life had already been decided,” she later shared.
But her story did not end there.
The Invisible Link Between Education and Child Marriage
Across many parts of India, Lakshmi’s story echoes in thousands of households. Child marriage and lack of education are deeply connected—each reinforcing the other in a cycle that is difficult to break.
When girls drop out of school, the likelihood of early marriage increases. Once married, returning to education becomes even harder, as social expectations take over. Over time, this cycle limits not only opportunities but also confidence, voice, and independence.
In rural Karnataka, where many families face economic and social constraints, education is often seen as secondary for girls—especially after marriage.
Yet, as the IMAGE (Initiatives for Married Adolescent Girls’ Empowerment) programme discovered, education can also be the most powerful tool to disrupt this cycle.
A Second Chance: Stepping Back into Learning
When Lakshmi first heard about the IMAGE programme, she was hesitant.
“How can I go back to studying now?” she wondered.
But with encouragement from community facilitators and support from her family—who were gradually sensitized through the programme, she took a small but courageous step. She joined an Early Married Girls(EMGs) group formed for girls like her.
It wasn’t a classroom in the traditional sense. There were no strict benches or blackboards. Instead, it was a space filled with conversations—about health, rights, education, and life itself.
At first, Lakshmi listened more than she spoke.
Then, slowly, she began to ask questions.
That was the beginning of her transformation.
Rediscovering Voice and Confidence
For many Early Married Girls (EMGs) in the IMAGE programme, education did not just mean textbooks—it meant rediscovering themselves.
Ayesha, another participant from a nearby district, recalls how she once avoided speaking even within her own family.
“I didn’t feel like my opinion mattered,” she said.
Through regular sessions, discussions, and exposure to new ideas, Ayesha began to understand her rights. She learned about laws that protect girls from early marriage and the importance of education in shaping their future.
More importantly, she found her voice.
The change was subtle but powerful. She started expressing her thoughts at home, participating in decisions, and encouraging her younger siblings, especially her sisters to continue their education.
What education gave her was not just knowledge—it gave her the confidence to be heard.
From Survivors to Leaders
As confidence grew, something remarkable began to happen.
Girls like Lakshmi and Ayesha were no longer just participants—they were becoming leaders.
Under the IMAGE phase 2 programme, many EMGs were trained as movement leaders, equipped with skills in communication, leadership, and advocacy. These young women began stepping beyond their personal journeys to influence their communities.
Lakshmi, who once hesitated to speak, now stands in village meetings, discussing the importance of education and the dangers of child marriage.
“I don’t want other girls to go through what I did,” she says.
In one instance, she and her peers intervened in a nearby village where a young girl was about to be married. Through dialogue and support from local authorities, the marriage was postponed.
Moments like these reflect the true power of education—not just as personal growth, but as collective change.
Changing Homes, Changing Mindsets
Transformation did not happen in isolation.
As girls began to change, so did their surroundings.
Parents who once believed that education had no place after marriage began to reconsider. Families started seeing the difference—in confidence, in communication, and even in economic contribution.
Ravi, the husband of one EMG participant, initially resisted his wife’s involvement in the programme.
“I didn’t understand why she needed to attend these sessions,” he admitted.
But over time, as he saw her confidence grow and her ability to contribute to household decisions improve, his perspective shifted.
“Now I feel proud when she speaks in meetings,” he says.
These shifts, though gradual, signal a deeper transformation—one where education begins to reshape long-held beliefs.
Education Meets Independence
For many girls, education also opened doors to economic opportunities.
Through vocational training linked to the program, participants learned skills that allowed them to earn an income. Whether it was tailoring, small-scale entrepreneurship, or joining self-help groups, these opportunities brought financial independence.
For Ayesha, earning her first income was a turning point.
“It was the first time I felt I could stand on my own,” she shared.
This financial contribution changed how her family perceived her. Her opinions carried more weight, and her choices were respected.
In this way, education extended beyond knowledge—it became a pathway to dignity and independence.
Voices That Reach Beyond Villages
One of the most powerful outcomes of the IMAGE intervention has been the way these young women engage with systems of governance.
Movement leaders now participate in local meetings, interact with officials, and advocate for stronger implementation of child protection mechanisms. They report cases, raise concerns, and ensure that issues affecting girls are not ignored.
This level of engagement reflects a profound shift—from being invisible to being influential.
Education has enabled these girls to not only navigate systems but also hold them accountable.
The Ripple Effect of One Educated Girl
The impact of these transformations extends far beyond individual stories.
When one girl returns to education, it influences her siblings, her friends, and her community. Younger girls begin to see new possibilities. Families become more cautious about early marriages. Schools witness improved retention.
Lakshmi now encourages every girl in her neighbourhood to stay in school.
“I tell them, don’t stop studying like I did,” she says.
Her story has become a source of inspiration—a reminder that change is possible, even after setbacks.
Challenges on the Journey
The journey, however, has not been easy.
Deep-rooted social norms, limited resources, and disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges. Reaching remote communities and sustaining engagement required continuous effort.
Yet, these challenges also strengthened the approach.
They highlighted the importance of persistence, community involvement, and long-term commitment.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining a Movement
What the IMAGE programme has built is more than an intervention—it is a movement.
Sustaining this momentum will require continued support for movement leaders, stronger community institutions, and deeper collaboration with government systems.
Expanding this model to other regions can amplify its impact, reaching more girls like Lakshmi and Ayesha.
Conclusion: Where Learning Becomes Liberation
Lakshmi now keeps her notebooks on a small wooden table near her window.
She studies in the evenings, often after completing her daily chores. But this time, she studies with a sense of purpose.
Her journey is not just about returning to education—it is about reclaiming her future.
The experience of the IMAGE programme reminds us that education is not just a tool—it is a force.
It has the power to turn silence into voice, vulnerability into strength, and survivors into leaders.
And in every girl who dares to learn again, there lies the promise of a world where child marriage no longer defines her destiny.
S.Anne Priya,
Programme and Partnerships Lead,
Children of India Foundation.
