On 30th June 2026, Prayatn Sanstha, with the financial support of EMpower, organized a Multi-Stakeholder Gender Sensitization Workshop at Sundaram Resort, Dholpur, Rajasthan, under its project aimed at engaging men and young people as partners in promoting gender equality. The workshop brought together representatives from government departments, civil society organizations, religious leaders and community stakeholders to strengthen awareness on gender equality, girls’ education and the prevention of child marriage.
The workshop was conducted under the presence of Mr. Mahesh Kumar Sharma, Chief Block Education Officer, Dholpur, as the Chief Guest and chaired by Mr. Bhupesh Garg, Deputy Director, Women and Child Development Department. The session began with an introduction to Prayatn Sanstha and the project by Ms. Rajni Jain, Project Officer, who outlined the objectives of the initiative and facilitated discussions on gender discrimination and the different forms in which gender inequality continues to exist within society. Participants also viewed educational videos on gender issues, followed by an interactive discussion to deepen their understanding of gender sensitivity and the need for positive social change.
During the workshop, Mr. Mahesh Kumar Sharma emphasized the importance of girls’ education and highlighted the persistent gap in school enrolment between boys and girls. He stressed that despite continuous efforts, girls still lag behind boys in educational opportunities and called for collective action to ensure equal access to education for every child.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Bhupesh Garg spoke in detail about the root causes and consequences of child marriage. He encouraged all stakeholders to play an active role in preventing child marriage and promoting awareness within their communities to protect the rights and future of adolescent girls.
The workshop also featured valuable perspectives from Mr. Vinod Sharma, representative of the Religious Leaders’ Association, who discussed the influence of patriarchal norms and gender inequality in society. He encouraged participants to become agents of change by challenging discriminatory practices and promoting gender-equitable attitudes at every level. As part of the programme, all participants collectively took a pledge to support the prevention of child marriage and contribute towards building a more gender-equal society.
The workshop witnessed the participation of 45 representatives from the District Child Helpline, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Anti-Human Trafficking Unit Department, religious leaders and Prayatn Sanstha’s project team, including block coordinators and field staff. Active participation of them, almost all of whom were males, reinforced the importance of collaboration among government departments, community institutions and civil society organizations in addressing gender inequality and safeguarding children’s rights.
The workshop concluded with a shared commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen community awareness, promote gender equality, encourage girls’ education and work collectively towards preventing child marriage, creating safer and more inclusive communities for children and young people.
