41%
Of girls are forced into marriage as children
Children vulnerable to inequality
Gender inequality is a major issue in Rajasthan, the state where Jaipur is located. To illustrate, in the state, 41% of girls were forced into marriage before the age of 18. This has already decreased from 76% in the past.
Child marriage is a violation of the universal declaration of human rights, and the emotional damage a child experiences from a forced marriage is profound.
Furthermore, literacy rates in Rajasthan speak for themselves: the literacy rate for men is 88%, while the literacy rate for women is 64%.This could be due to the girls having to drop out of school for various reasons. Offering equal opportunities to children needs to become a priority.
22%
Of people live in poor housing
Children vulnerable in slums
In Rajasthan, around ten million people live below the poverty line. Jaipur is a fast-growing city, but it does not have the necessary infrastructure to keep up with the rapid development.
Often people move to Jaipur in search of a better life and job opportunities, but 22% of the city’s population ends up in one of the slums in the city. In these slums, there is a lack of affordable housing, adequate sanitation and safe drinking water. An estimated 688,000 people in the city live in slums. Children are particularly vulnerable due to the poverty prevailing in these slums, as they have no access to medical care and education.
Your support makes a difference for children in Jaipur
SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
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Children and young people
Grow up in our care
Are supported on their way to independence
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Children in our care are having fun and playing together in the garden (photo: SOS Children’s Villages India).
How your support helps in Jaipur
Strengthening families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run training so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start their own businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.