Barli Institute, India

  • P Project/Program

A Active

Key Information

Barli educates and empowers young, rural women to lead the social and economic development of their communities. Based in Indore, the Institute has so far trained 8,500 young women from about 800 villages. 94% of Barli graduates contribute to the income of their families. Recognized by UNESCO as one of the top 100 education projects in developing countries, Barli educates and empowers young, rural and tribal women and girls to become leaders and agents of social change in their communities. Though most girls are illiterate when they arrive, 100% pass the national literacy exam within six months and can read and write in Hindi (not their native language). Along with literacy, the women are trained in cutting and tailoring, in healthcare, agriculture and in sustainable community development including women rights, conflict resolution, and organizing moral education for children. Every student attending the Barli Institute conducts at least 3 service projects in their home village (including children’s education, female literacy, women’s health, environmental conservation, among others) and is expected to involve at least 25 families. The overall goal of Barli Development Institute for Rural Women is to initiate and build the process of sustainable community development through the empowerment of young rural and tribal women to become agents of social change. Founded in 1985, the Institute has trained over 14,800 young women. The training programs are focused on empowerment of women by training them in skills to contribute towards the development of their own communities in the areas of literacy, vocational skills, health and hygiene, environmental conservation, organic farming and gender mainstreaming. To achieve this, the Institute has been building the capacity of its trainees in promoting equality of men and women in a way that reduces the gender gaps in society in general and education and health in particular. It facilitates their active participation in their personal and social development. The program has witnessed significant positive changes among the trainees and their communities.


Lead Implementing Organization(s)

Location(s)

South Asia

India

Government Affiliation

Non-governmental program

Years

2005 -

Partner(s)

Not applicable or unknown

Ministry Affiliation

Unknown

Funder(s)

Not applicable or unknown

COVID-19 Response

Unknown

Geographic Scope

National

Areas of Work Back to Top

Education areas

Other skills

  • Life skills/sexuality education
  • Vocational training

Skills

  • Literacy

Cross-cutting areas

  • Community sensitization
  • Economic/livelihoods (including savings/financial inclusion, etc.)
  • Empowerment
  • Gender equality
  • Masculinities/boys
  • Other aspects of sexual and reproductive health
  • Social and gender norms and beliefs

Program participants

Target Audience(s)

Girls (both in school and out of school), Youth

Age

Not applicable or unknown

School Enrolment Status

Some in school

School Level

  • Lower secondary
  • Upper secondary
  • Vocational

Other populations reached

  • Boys (both in school and out of school)
  • Fathers
  • Mothers
  • Other caregivers
  • Other community members - female
  • Other community members - male

Participants include

Not applicable or unknown

Program Approaches Back to Top

Community engagement/advocacy/sensitization

  • Community mobilization
  • General awareness-raising/community engagement

Health and childcare services

  • Sexual and reproductive health services (including family planning)

Life skills education

  • Sexual and reproductive health (including puberty education)

Social/gender norms change

  • Engaging parents/caregivers of students or school-age children/adolescents

Women's empowerment programs

  • Advocacy/action

Program Goals Back to Top

Education goals

  • Increased literacy

Cross-cutting goals

  • Changed social norms
  • Improved sexual and reproductive health
  • Increased agency and empowerment
  • Increased employment/job-related skills
  • Increased knowledge of HIV, puberty, and sexual and reproductive health
  • More equitable gender attitudes and norms
  • Reduced poverty/increase household well-being