Who They Are

First-generation learners with big dreams

Young women aged 15–24 from under-resourced, first-generation backgrounds, living in urban, peri-urban, and rural communities across India. They come from:

• Government and low-fee private schools with minimal career guidance.
• Community colleges and NGO programs supporting women’s education.
• Hostels, shelters, and correctional homes, often facing disrupted schooling.
• They are daughters of daily wage earners, artisans, or small entrepreneurs, often the first in their families to pursue higher education or a career.

What They Face

Social & economic barriers limiting access

• Limited access to mentorship, technology, and professional networks.
• Financial pressures leading to early dropout or marriage.
• Low confidence and social norms restricting mobility and voice.
• Fragmented education-to-career pathways with little career exposure.

What They Seek

Curiosity, confidence, and career pathways through WEP

• Clarity: to explore careers and discover personal strengths.
• Confidence: to communicate, lead, and earn with purpose.
• Community: a circle of peers, mentors, and lifelong support.
• Career Pathways: connections to education, employment, and leadership opportunities.