Summary: While we recognise and celebrate achievements of some of the renowned women in the field of science, it is also important to provide support to aspiring girls at the grass root level of the society. It is time to create a ripple effect kind of an awareness that ‘science is for girls’ The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a mid-day meal NGO in India is supporting scientific temperament among girls by nourishing them with nutritious meals on every school day.
Body of content: Gender equality and science go hand in hand. Though there have been several initiatives across the globe regarding women empowerment in the field of science, yet we have a long way to go. In order to support scientific temperament, ensure equal access to and participation in science among girls and women, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015. The 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science that is being observed in 2022 will focus on the theme of “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us" in an effort to make progress towards achievement of UN SDG Goal 6, i.e., Clean Water and Sanitation.
Women empowerment in the field of science is possible only when we nurture scientific temperament among girls from a young age. While there are several organisations, both academic and charitable working specifically on the cause of enabling girls and women to have a future in science, there are several NGOs who are boosting school education to give a strong foundation. One such organisation is The Akshaya Patra Foundation, an Indian NGO implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme across the country since past 21 years. The Foundation is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka and has its presence across 14 States & 2 Union Territories of India. Currently, Akshaya Patra provides nutritious mid-day meals to 18,00,907 children studying in 19,039 government schools and government-aided schools. The sole reason that motivates Akshaya Patra to keep striving to nourish children every day is the aspirations of its beneficiaries. So, the objective of this Foundation is not only to feed the children, but to support their nutritional intake and health so that they are physically fit to learn well and attend school regularly. Several impact studies on the effectiveness of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme have revealed that regular intake of nutritious school meals boosts health, improves regularity to school and concentration in class, and improves performance in academic and co-curricular activities.
Aside from implementing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to feed the children, Akshaya Patra time and again collaborates with reputed academic, arts and music, sports, and other philanthropic organisations to broaden the horizon and support aspirations of its beneficiaries. Recently, Akshaya Patra has collaborated with BYJU’s that will bridge the digital divide and enable accessibility to quality education free of cost for children hailing from economically weaker sections. When donors donate to NGO or when organisations collaborate as knowledge partners, they directly impact the development and lives of the beneficiaries. Below is a mention of a few girl beneficiaries who see their future in the field of science:
- “I want to be a Doctor and provide free treatment to poor people”, says Sujita of Standard III, CPS Primary School, Silvassa, Daman.
- “I want to give confidence to people who are insecure about their looks. I want to become a Cosmetic Surgeon and be the best that Odisha has”, says Roshni of Higher Primary School, Odisha.
- “I want to become a Dentist, open my own clinic, and be counted among the top dentisits”, says Shyaali of Standard VIII, Ekaathmanagar School, Nagpur.
- “I want to be a Nutritionist and educate people on proper meal planning and its role in keeping oneself free from diseases. I want to guide people on the importance of nutrition”, says Megha of Standard VII, GMHPS, Bellandur, Bengaluru.
On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, step in to support health and education of girl children. Donate to NGO and become an enabler of dreams. Step in now to feed the children with nutritious meals on each school day. Your donation will create an empowered generation and will reward you with tax exemption too (applicable for donations of ₹500 and above).
Author Profile:
The Akshaya Patra Foundation is an Indian NGO implementing the Mid-Day Meal Programme along with other relief feeding initiatives. Your support to Akshaya Patra can directly impacts lakhs of children as well as needy people amid crisis situations across India. Your donation towards Akshaya Patra will avail you tax exemption too.