Malala Day 2026
- Jul 18
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 27
We have been working to end prostitution since 1989 and as a direct result, there are no underage girls or second generation sex workers in our district brothels. This is due to our 20+ projects addressing the root causes that exploit women and children into the trade. In 2015, we received three years support from Malala Fund to promote girls education and believed in the cause so much as part of our core purpose we have continued to advocate for girls to stay in school.
On weekend of 11 and 12 July, we celebrated the activist’s birthday for the 10th year running with our Malala peer mentors (girls aged 13-18) from our shelter home and slum schools leading the event alongside our Udaan project which aims to eliminate child marriage in our district by the end of next year.
On 11 July we took our street play, dance and song to Nighoj, close to Parner in Ahiliyanagar District and a hot spot area for child marriage. As well as presenting to around 600 children in a local school we took our message to the bustling market and temple areas of the town distributing information on child rights and the marriage act. This grassroots work is essential in areas where families are unfamiliar with the marriage laws and often unwittingly remove their girls from school and marry them off too early.
The next day was a chance for our children to show that together they are stronger. A full day of competitions and activities saw children from our shelter homes and slum schools compete in cricket, basketball, cake decorating and a treasure hunt. For the first time our teams were mixed with boys and girls working together to showcase the different strengths and skills each bring to teams.
They were also supported by a team of five from Leicester High School for Girls in the UK who travelled to our Indian projects specifically to participate in out Malala Day activities. Their school has also supported the in fundraising for our projects and they were incredible, joining in with enthusiasm. Additional team members included Santvana, a 19 year old who was adopted by Snehalaya nine years ago and now lives in the USA. She returned to visit her family but managed to also thrown herself into our Malala Day activities. Also supporting were two visitors from Rubaroo in Hyderabad. It truly was a team effort.
Now we just need to start planning for next year…
