SMRITI MARAR
INDIA, 17
Project: Project WE (Women Empowerment)
Basic Human Needs: Education
Smriti was always passionate about women empowerment and education. When she began to volunteer as a tutor in Hyderabad, India, Smriti met many girls who would likely not finish high school. She learned female students in India frequently couldn’t complete their education due to a lack of funds or forced marriage at an early age. In July 2019 Smriti founded Project WE to encourage girls in India to pursue further education and vocational training, and empower them to be independent, self-sufficient women. Project WE supports the holistic development of girls through programs that focus on financial literacy, technological literacy, self-care and self-actualization. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Project WE adapted to an online curriculum to facilitate remote learning. Their curriculum was implemented by the state of Telangana to teach 30,000 students, and more recently adopted by a national NGO, Pratham, to educate students in multiple Indian states. Project WE also provides smart phones and technology to students who are in need to make learning more accessible. With Project WE’s support, 26 female graduates have passed national examinations to pursue higher education, 38 women have been accepted into universities, and an additional 15 students are eligible for salary-paying jobs from WE’s vocational training. Smriti plans to create an online platform to provide female students across India with a range of free, online educational content. Seeing the enthusiasm and goals sparked from Project WE inspires Smriti to make female empowerment her life’s work.