Using Participatory Action Research in the Context of Child Marriage in India: Lessons Learned and Challenges

• In Event: Gender Equity in Global Perspective

Abstract

102 million child brides reside in India struggling at the intersection of low socio-economic background, religious minorities, lower castes, low-income and rural families. The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), built throughout the country, have specifically been established as government residential schools to provide education to adolescent minority girls. In an attempt to increase educational outcomes with the guiding principles of sustainability, a participatory action research initiative was employed with five such schools in the north of India in 2019-2020. A human-centered design was used placing the teachers, students, and local government officials at the core. This paper highlights the learnings and the challenges around the process and insights into underlying socio-cultural themes that influence program design and implementation.

Authors

• Ananya Tiwari, Texas A&M University

• Shafagh Hadinezhad

• Deana McDonagh

• Vaibhav Kumar