During the celebrations of the Kumbh Mela the “She is the Solution: Summit of Grace” two-day conference brought together thousands of women, men, and children, faith leaders and political leaders to Empower Women, through an emphasis on increased access, the end of child marriage, and safe and proper resources for menstrual hygiene management.
The summit was organized under the auspices of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance and Parmarth Niketan, with technical support from the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and UNICEF, in support of the efforts of the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Spearheading the call-to-action were: Lok Sabha Hon’ble Speaker Smt Sumitra Mahajan; Pujya Yogrishi Swami Ramdevji, Patanjali Yogpeeth; HH Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, Co-Founder Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA) and President, Parmarth Niketan; Hon’ble Minister of State HRD Dr Satyapal Singhji; and Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji Secretary General for GIWA.
In a rousing speech to the gathered crowd, Pujya Swami Ramdevji said, “Don’t wait for someone else to protect you, you should become strong enough physically, mentally and spiritually so that you can defend yourself. Don’t also let anyone tell you your monthly periods are dirty because without menstruation there can be no creation.” He led everyone in a pledge against child marriage and adamantly advocated for education for our girl children.
GIWA is very proud to be partnering with UNICEF India on a beautiful campaign to raise up girls everywhere. Today, over 100,000 signatures have been collected as we work towards breaking the Guinness World Records for the most signatures on a flag. Now is the time! Let us all join hands and hearts to say, “Yes to Education! No to Child Marriage!” #EndChildMarriage
