Enough is Enough; Wishing a Happy International Women’s Day to the Girls Fighting for Equality!

By R. Venkat Reddy

National Convener, M. V. Foundation

On March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day with great enthusiasm. Governments organize numerous official programs, and speeches flow endlessly. However, there is little attention paid at the local level to girls’ higher education and their safety. Worse still, when it comes to child marriages, some even send signals that violating the law is acceptable. There have been numerous instances where local district child protection officials were intimidated into not intervening in child marriages. Shockingly, even elected representatives have attended such weddings.

Instead of acknowledging that girls have rights and that gender discrimination exists in society, people often side with those violating these rights rather than supporting the affected girls. The policies and laws created for girls by governments and public representatives largely reflect this same mindset. The discrimination and humiliation faced by girls are considered normal and socially acceptable rather than seen as personal indignities or violations of human rights.

The New Generation of Girls is Fighting Back

However, today’s girls are determined to challenge these norms and establish new societal rules based on their rights. Members of girls’ collectives in districts like Ranga Reddy, Suryapet, Vikarabad, Gadwal, and Hyderabad have proven that gender discrimination is neither inevitable nor acceptable.

Not only are girls resisting injustice, but child rights protection platforms, village panchayats, women’s groups, and youth activists have joined forces to stop child marriages. They have confronted and restrained those harassing girls in public places like bus stops. Many individuals who once remained silent have now become allies in the fight for gender equality. Teachers, police officers, and local authorities have also started participating in efforts to uphold girls’ dignity and ensure their educational advancement.

Girls are eagerly waiting for this change in society. Realizing that discussions are happening about their future, they have begun fighting for their rightful place and equal status. They are raising their voices against child labor and demanding their right to education. Defying parental and societal pressures, they are standing up against child marriages. In villages, they have even taken the lead in hoisting the national flag during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations—an act traditionally dominated by male youth groups.

Their determination to break free from patriarchy and gender discrimination is inspiring. They have shown remarkable courage in standing up to authorities and demanding their rights.

“Enough is Enough” – A Collective for Change

In this context, girls from various villages have come together to form an organization called “Enough is Enough” (Ika Chalu). They conduct meetings and discussions in villages, with each committee comprising 10 to 15 girls. Equipped with proper training, they engage with officials and village leaders to find solutions to their problems.

Their Non-Negotiable Principles, rooted in constitutional rights, include:

• Every child must remain in school until the age of 18.

• Girls must be given equal opportunities as boys in learning and skill development.

• Gender equality should be included as a subject in the curriculum from the first grade.

• Any argument that seeks to control girls’ independence must be rejected.

• Social spaces must be accessible to all children, regardless of gender, caste, religion, or disability.

• Youth organizations should not be divided based on gender.

• No girl should be married before the age of 18, and child marriages should be annulled by amending the 2006 Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.

Demanding Educational Priorities Over Marriage Schemes

These girls are challenging government policies that prioritize marriage over education. They strongly oppose schemes like Kalyana Lakshmi (which provides financial assistance for girls’ weddings) and advocate for a shift towards “Chaduvula Thalli Muddu” (Education is a Mother’s Blessing).

They also fight for:

• Free and reliable public transportation for first-generation female students.

• Timely availability of RTC buses for school and college students.

• Immediate action against discrimination in schools.

• Gender bias in classroom activities being addressed through direct discussions with teachers.

• Revising textbooks that portray gender stereotypes and advocating for equal representation of female authors in school curriculum.

• Ensuring that responsibilities assigned to female teachers are not disproportionately different from those given to male teachers.

Creating Safe Spaces for Girls to Speak Up

The “Enough is Enough” platform provides a safe space for girls to share their experiences of discrimination at home, in school, and in society. It also enables them to think critically about how to bring gender equality into their families, schools, and communities.

Through this platform, girls are gaining confidence to step into public spaces where they were previously unseen, asserting their right to freedom of movement. They help each other map higher education and vocational courses, ensuring that no girl is left behind due to a lack of information or support.

Girls in this movement actively:

• Identify dropouts and encourage them to rejoin school.

• Report issues like sexual harassment, child marriage, and school-related problems to local authorities.

• Organize discussions with police officials about violence and harassment.

Expanding the Movement Across Telangana

As more girls learned about the activities of “Enough is Enough”, the movement expanded to new districts, eventually forming the Telangana Girls’ Equality Federation (TASS).

During the recent TASS State-Level Meeting, girls passed resolutions demanding that the government:

• Allocate 15% of the state budget to education.

• Replace marriage-focused schemes with initiatives that promote higher education.

•  Provide free transportation for all students.

• Immediately fill teacher vacancies and resume stalled scholarships.

• Expand government degree colleges and offer all educational streams in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.

• Take responsibility for issuing necessary caste, income, Aadhaar, and birth certificates for students.

•  Extend free midday meals up to intermediate level and establish hostel facilities for girls pursuing higher education.

A Call for Real Commitment to Girls’ Rights

Standing with girls should not be a mere symbolic gesture. It requires strong commitment and ethical political action.

Fighting against gender discrimination and promoting equality must become a core part of governance and policy-making. Only when robust support systems are established for girls will we truly pave the way for a new social order based on justice, equality, and constitutional rights.

Girls have made it clear: “Enough is Enough.” It is time for governments and society to listen.