Alka Joshi's Blog - Posts Tagged "gender"
Education First, Marriage Second
In today's India, even young women from poor villages are putting education before marriage. On March 15, 2019, the Times of India reported on a woman who did just that in the state of Maharashtra, on the Western coast of India.
Renuka Pawar, 20, is from the small village of Hursal. Born to a poor family, she was determined to let nothing stand in her way to complete her education, especially since the death of her father. So while her groom waited for her, along with two other parties who were conducting ceremonies in a mass wedding, Renuka sat for her Economics exam for Class 12.
In India, after Class 10, students have the option of completing two more years (referred to as their 10 + 2) before entering college or university. How well they do in their Class 12 exams determines which higher education institution they will be admitted to.
Renuka said she'd worked hard for her education and she didn't want marariage to interrupt it. When she entered the wedding hall after finishing her exam, the crowd burst into applause.
Young women like Renuka are a growing force in India. They know what they want and they're not shy about insisting on their right to an education. Atta girl, Renuka!
Renuka Pawar, 20, is from the small village of Hursal. Born to a poor family, she was determined to let nothing stand in her way to complete her education, especially since the death of her father. So while her groom waited for her, along with two other parties who were conducting ceremonies in a mass wedding, Renuka sat for her Economics exam for Class 12.
In India, after Class 10, students have the option of completing two more years (referred to as their 10 + 2) before entering college or university. How well they do in their Class 12 exams determines which higher education institution they will be admitted to.
Renuka said she'd worked hard for her education and she didn't want marariage to interrupt it. When she entered the wedding hall after finishing her exam, the crowd burst into applause.
Young women like Renuka are a growing force in India. They know what they want and they're not shy about insisting on their right to an education. Atta girl, Renuka!
