
Today we celebrate International Day of the Girl Child, on Saturday 11th October 2025, and this year’s theme ‘The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis’.
“All around the world, girls are stepping up to meet today’s biggest challenges. They are organising in their communities, fighting for climate justice, demanding an end to violence and reimagining their futures. Girls are asking to be seen not only for the challenges they face, but for who they are and the solutions they bring. Yet, too often, their voices go unheard, their actions ignored, their needs and rights pushed aside.” – www.unwomen.org
This day represents everything CINI Australia’s mission to empower young girls and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Our programs enable the voice of the child to be heard. The “CINI Method” for creating “Child-Friendly Communities” prioritises children’s rights to health, nutrition, education, and protection.
IICCHAA project for children affected by HIV AIDS, addressing psychosocial distress, health access, nutrition, education, employment, advocacy, and the reduction of stigma and discrimination. Since 2012 we have supported 220 children per year cross 3 districts.
Child Friendly communities Development since 2012, we have expanded from 5 to 140+ villages. The program addresses health, nutrition, education and protection through the empowerment of women and children with collabouration with local governments.
Ujjan: First Phase of the program, from 2021-24, supported 535 adolescents in Rambagan, Kolkata. After winning a $20,000 grant from Meridian Global last month, our aim is to start a Second Phase as soon as we have met our fundraising targets,
Fighting for Ujjan – Why This Program is so Important
India has a population exceeding 1.2 billion and West Bengal has 18.2 million adolescents aged 10–19, almost 20% of its population.
Adolescents in India, especially girls, face challenges impacting their health, stemming from poverty, neglect, gender inequity, inadequate awareness, knowledge and skills in critical areas such as reproductive and sexual health and nutrition. Malnutrition, anaemia and teen pregnancy contribute to maternal and infant mortality. 41.4% of girls are married before 18 and 16.4% of girls, and 15–19 experience motherhood or pregnancy.
UJJAN Project addresses the complex disadvantages faced by the adolescents of Rambagan, the red-light district of Kolkata.
It will empower adolescents by:
- building their knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence, nutrition, non-communicable diseases, substance abuse and mental health.
- life skill trainings and vocational training to enable self-sufficiency.
- improving their academic achievement and reduce school dropout.
- developing their capacity as leaders to represent their needs within the community.
- Develop a holistic, scalable and sustainable model of gender-sensitive adolescent development with adolescents’ leadership and community participation.
UJJAN’s powerful intervention will change potential victims into change-makers. The enthusiasm, optimism and willingness of the children to participate in learning and making change for their futures is inspirational. Empowering young people is the most effective response to deep-rooted issues of poverty, marginalisation and victimisation.
No child, anywhere in the world, should grow up thinking abuse is normal or hope is out of reach. If you have an interest in supporting UJJAN, please consider making a donation, or contacting us to find out more. We would love to hear from you.