Photo essay: Kanyashree Prakalpa Building a Brighter Future for Every Girl in West Bengal

Meet Bina, Meena, Riya, and Shatabdi—four courageous girls united by a shared goal—education and self-empowerment supported by the Kanyashree Prakalpa. These young women from the Eastern Indian state of West Bengal are standing strong against social odds and boldly rewriting their futures.

Kanyashree Prakalpa, a flagship conditional cash transfer scheme launched by the Government of West Bengal in 2013, has emerged as a hope for the state's adolescent girls. By providing financial incentives to continue their education and thereby, delay their marriage, the scheme has significantly improved the well-being and empowerment of girls, particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Bina's Fight Against Early Marriage

For Bina, the Kanyashree scheme was a shield that protected her from the pressures of early marriage prevalent in her community. Growing up with five sisters and a brother, Bina witnessed her father's struggles as a single parent after their mother's death. Instead of succumbing to the social tradition of marrying young, Bina chose a different path.

"I wanted to play and win medals like my elder sisters," Bina says. The Kanyashree K-1 scheme, which provides Rs 1,000 annually, helped her stay in school and focus on her education and sports career. “Thanks to Kanyashree, I said no to early marriage. Now, I encourage other girls in my community to do the same,” says an ebullient Bina.

Meena's Aspiration for Higher Education

For West Bengal, child marriage has been a concerning issue for a long time. Social norms, religious traditions, and economic pressures often force girls into early marriages. Kanyashree Prakalpa aimed to tackle this issue by providing a tangible incentive for girls to stay in school and delay marriage until they reached the legal age of 18.

For Meena, the Kanyashree scheme was a lifeline that empowered her to chase her dreams amidst the weight of familial expectations. As the youngest of five siblings, she watched her three older sisters marry soon after finishing school, a tradition that seemed to dictate her fate.

However, fuelled by her aspirations and the support of the Kanyashree K-2 scheme, which provided her with a one-time grant of Rs 25,000, Meena took a bold step to secure her future. She enrolled in college, where she purchased a laptop and tools to help her achieve her ambition of becoming a nurse.

Riya's Financial Literacy and Self-Defence Training

An 8th-grade student, Riya, found empowerment through the Kanyashree Club at her school. These clubs, a key initiative under the scheme, provide girls with opportunities to develop leadership skills, learn financial literacy, and receive self-defence training.

"I learned how to budget and save money, and now I help my family manage our household finances," Riya proudly shares. Through her participation in the Kanyashree Club, she has educated her family about cyber safety and financial security. Kanyashree has given me the tools to make informed decisions and stand up for myself."

Shatabdi's Journey: Using Kanyashree to Empower Others

Shatabdi's life reflects perseverance, resilience, and ambition. Growing up in a home struggling with poverty, her father's mental health issues added to the challenges. Yet, her commitment to her education remained steadfast.

With the support of the Kanyashree K-2 grant of Rs 25,000, Shatabdi could complete her schooling and even pursue a master's degree, all the while navigating the complexities of life after marrying at 19.

"I used my Kanyashree grant for my education and to support my family," she recalls, reflecting on the programme’s transformative impact. Today, Shatabdi works with an NGO to raise awareness about Kanyashree Prakalpa in her village, empowering other girls to pursue their dreams.

A Future of Possibilities

As Kanyashree Prakalpa continues to evolve, it offers hope to countless more girls across West Bengal.

"UNICEF began its journey with Kanyashree in 2013 by collaborating with the Government of West Bengal on the design the conditional cash transfer scheme," reflects Swapnodipa Biswas, Child Protection Officer, UNICEF West Bengal.

Dr. Shashi Panja, Minister of the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, says, "West Bengal's social protection schemes focus on improving the quality of life and well-being, especially for adolescent girls. Kanyashree has evolved from promoting education and delaying marriage to empowering girls to make their own choices, build confidence, and aspire to achieve more."

"The holistic approach of Kanyashree, which now includes financial and digital literacy, equips girls’ with skills tomanage their own money and navigate financial systems," Dr Panja emphasizes.

UNICEF marks 75 years in India and has taken immense pride in being part of Kanyashree's journey since 2013.

The Kanyashree Prakalpa programme has received widespread recognition and acclaim nationally and internationally. Its success has inspired other states in India and countries around the globe to adopt similar initiatives focused on enhancing the development and well-being of adolescent girls.

As Kanyashree Prakalpa continues to evolve and expand its reach, it promises to transform the lives of countless more girls in West Bengal.