She Can Fly – Save The Breath Foundation

Break Barriers. Build Dreams. Let Her Fly.

Empowering India's Marginalized Girls

In India, 23 million girls drop out of school by Class 10. She Can Fly equips marginalized girls with education, mentorship, and life skills to reclaim their futures.

Break Barriers. Build Dreams. Let Her Fly.

Our Mission

In India, millions of girls face barriers that threaten their futures. With 23% of women aged 20-24 married before the age of 18 (NFHS-5, 2019-2021) and over 23 million girls dropping out of school by Class 10, systemic challenges like child marriage, poverty, and lack of educational access perpetuate cycles of inequality. The "She Can Fly" initiative, led by the Save The Breath Foundation, is committed to breaking these cycles by empowering marginalized girls with education, mentorship, and essential life skills. Our goal is to ensure every girl has the opportunity to reclaim her future and achieve her dreams.

Education is a proven shield against early marriage, with girls who stay in school being significantly less likely to marry as children (UNICEF, 2022). By addressing the root causes of gender inequality—poverty, cultural norms, and lack of resources—"She Can Fly" empowers girls to become leaders, innovators, and change-makers in their communities.

The Harsh Reality for Girls in India

The challenges facing girls in India are profound and multifaceted:

Child Marriage: Despite progress, India remains home to the largest number of child brides globally, with one in five girls married before 18 (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2023). Over half of these girls reside in five states: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh (UNICEF, 2023).

Menstrual Hygiene Barriers: Approximately 40% of girls miss school during menstruation due to inadequate hygiene resources, contributing to educational dropout (UNICEF, 2022).

Education Gap: Only 14% of women in India pursue higher education, reflecting systemic barriers that limit opportunities for girls (National Sample Survey Office, NSSO).

Socio-Economic Factors: Poverty, patriarchal norms, and cultural beliefs often lead families to prioritize early marriage over education, viewing girls as economic burdens (Vision IAS, 2024).

These statistics highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions like "She Can Fly," which addresses these challenges through comprehensive, community-driven solutions.

Our Solutions

"She Can Fly" offers a holistic set of programs designed to empower girls by tackling the specific barriers they face. Each initiative is tailored to provide immediate support and foster long-term independence:

Program	Description	Impact
Scholarships	Covers school fees, uniforms, and provides STEM kits to spark interest in science and technology.	Enables girls to stay in school and explore careers in high-demand fields.
Digital Learning Hubs	Equips girls with tablets loaded with offline educational apps in regional languages and hosts coding workshops.	Enhances digital literacy and access to education in remote areas.
Dignity Kits	Includes reusable sanitary pads, hygiene guides, and pain management workshops to address menstrual needs.	Reduces school absenteeism and promotes dignity during menstruation.
Nutrition Support	Provides daily meals and vitamin supplements to ensure health and focus.	Supports cognitive development and academic success.
Mentorship	Connects girls with female professionals in STEM, law, and entrepreneurship for career guidance.	Inspires ambition and provides role models for non-traditional careers.
Self-Defense Workshops	Teaches Taekwondo and situational awareness to build confidence and safety.	Empowers girls to protect themselves and assert their autonomy.
Community Advocacy	Conducts parent workshops on child marriage, gender bias, and the value of girls' education.	Creates a supportive ecosystem for girls’ growth and delays early marriages.
Leadership Camps	Offers training in public speaking, financial literacy, and project management.	Equips girls with skills to lead and plan for their futures.

Scholarships

Our scholarships go beyond covering school fees. By providing uniforms and STEM kits, we ensure girls have the tools to engage with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—fields where women are underrepresented. These resources spark curiosity and prepare girls for careers in high-demand industries.

Digital Learning Hubs

In areas with limited internet access, our Digital Learning Hubs provide tablets preloaded with offline educational apps in regional languages, making learning accessible to all. Coding workshops introduce girls to digital literacy, fostering skills essential for the modern workforce.

Dignity Kits

Menstruation should not be a barrier to education. Our Dignity Kits include reusable sanitary pads, hygiene guides, and access to pain management workshops, helping girls manage their periods with confidence and reducing school absenteeism.

Nutrition Support

Proper nutrition is critical for learning. We provide daily meals and vitamin supplements to ensure girls are healthy, energized, and able to focus on their studies, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.

Mentorship

Our mentorship program connects girls with female professionals from diverse fields like STEM, law, and entrepreneurship. Through regular guidance, these mentors inspire girls to envision futures beyond traditional roles and pursue ambitious career paths.

Self-Defense Workshops

Safety is a priority. Our workshops teach Taekwondo and situational awareness, empowering girls to protect themselves and build confidence in navigating challenging environments.

Community Advocacy

Changing mindsets is key to lasting impact. Our workshops engage parents on critical issues like child marriage, gender bias, and the importance of educating girls, fostering a supportive community for their growth.

Leadership Camps

Our camps equip girls with essential skills like public speaking, financial literacy, and project management. These tools prepare them to lead, advocate for themselves, and shape their futures as independent, confident women.

Transforming Lives: Stories of Empowerment

The true measure of "She Can Fly" lies in the lives it transforms. Here are some examples of the impact we’re making:

Priya’s Story:

Priya, a 16-year-old from rural Bihar, faced pressure to marry at 15. Through our scholarship program, she continued her education and discovered a passion for coding with her STEM kit. Today, Priya dreams of becoming a software engineer and inspires her peers to pursue their ambitions.

Aisha’s Journey:

Aisha, from Uttar Pradesh, struggled with school attendance due to menstrual hygiene challenges. After receiving a Dignity Kit and attending our workshops, she no longer misses classes and is excelling academically, with aspirations to become a doctor.

Community Impact

In one village, our advocacy workshops convinced 20 families to prioritize their daughters’ education over early marriage, creating a ripple effect of change in the community.

Quantitative Impact:

In one village, our advocacy workshops convinced 20 families to prioritize their daughters’ education over early marriage, creating a ripple effect of change in the community.

Over 500 girls have received scholarships to continue their education.
Digital Learning Hubs have empowered over 1,000 girls with digital literacy skills.
80% of mentored girls report increased confidence in pursuing non-traditional careers.
Self-Defense Workshops have trained over 300 girls, enhancing their safety and confidence.

These stories reflect the transformative power of education and empowerment, aligning with broader efforts in India, such as those by the Centre for Catalyzing Change, which has helped over 600 girls stay in school and prevented 23 child marriages (UN Women, 2023).