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MJAS initiated its Technology Enabled Girls’ Alliance (TEGA) program in rural communities of Rajasthan to combat the significant gender disparities. TEGA trains adolescent girls and young women ( aged 14-28 ) from marginalized backgrounds, offering them access to technology and digital skills training.Centred in Kekri and Ajmer, the program uses computer literacy and incorporates lessons on cybercrime, internet safety, women’s rights, and financial literacy. This holistic approach empowers participants to challenge traditional gender roles and advocate for social change.
Many participants have secured jobs in the digital sector, while others have found renewed motivation to pursue education. The program has fostered critical thinking, self-confidence, and decision-making skills among the girls, enabling them to become community leaders and advocates against issues that plague women. By empowering these young women, TEGA paves the way for a more equitable and just society.
1. Computer Learning: Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti (MJAS) has designed the Comprehensive Computer Learning Course – “Digital Kishori Bane Saksham” with a feminist perspective. This program aims to empower women and girls (14-28 years) from marginalized socio-economic backgrounds (SC, ST, OBC, Dalit, and Muslim minorities) with essential digital skills, fostering independence and enabling them to become active participants in addressing gendered social issues. The program caters to learners of all levels, offering short workshops and in-depth certifications lasting one week to six months. This flexibility ensures that every participant can benefit, regardless of prior experience with technology. The curriculum includes technical sessions alongside training in health, gender, violence, constitutional rights, and career counseling to build awareness among rural girls. Additionally, MJAS offers the NIIT Active Basic IT course, which covers online work and advanced editing tools. For official certification, they provide RSCIT Training, a Rajasthan government-recognized course that covers basic computer skills and information on various government schemes. Since 2016-present ,2800 girls have trained, and more than 650 are working tech-based jobs.
2. Mobile Learning: The “Each One Teach Ten” program by Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti (MJAS) empowers rural girls with mobile technology skills, transforming phones into powerful learning tools. As of 2023, the initiative began by training 50 Master Trainers from village girls, who then shared their knowledge with 1200 others, creating a ripple effect of digital learning.
This program stands out by focusing on providing livelihoods to rural girls and developing them into community leaders. By equipping young girls with digital literacy and leadership skills, MJAS is nurturing a new generation of educated, empowered, and financially secure women who can drive change in their communities. The program aims to enhance ease, mobility, access to opportunities, and safety in the lives of rural girls and women through effective use of mobile technology.
3. Grassroots Journalism: The Grassroots Journalism initiative, part of the Technology Enabled Girls’ Alliance (TEGA) program in Ajmer, Rajasthan, empowers young women aged 15-25 to become citizen journalists. This six-month course teaches writing, photography, videography, and digital storytelling skills, while also covering topics like civil rights, constitutional law, cybercrime, gender, and politics. The program uses mobile phones for accessibility and provides participants with a “Smart Kit” of essential tools.
The initiative has seen high retention rates and significant impact. Participants develop critical thinking and writing skills, gaining confidence to share their stories and perspectives on important social issues. By equipping young women with journalism skills and a platform to amplify their voices, TEGA is fostering informed and empowered communities. A cohort of 52 young journalists have been trained from two batches (2021-2022 and 2022-2023); writing regular articles for Charkha feature services, FII, Gaon connection,Chambal media and others. The program’s success has led to the launch of new batches, extending its reach and contributing to a more equitable society where women’s voices are valued and heard.
4. Tech Sakhi – Badlaav ki Awaaz: This program creates a network of digitally literate young women transforming them into digital change-makers. The young advocates for social change, speak against early child forced marriage and act as mentors/ role models for other girls in their communities. These “Digital Sakhis” are girls affected by ECFM themselves. The robust curriculum guides participants through essential digital skills like technology fundamentals, mobile learning, social media activism, and addressing gender, sexuality, and reproductive health issues through photography, videography, and scriptwriting. Since 2023, a total of 32 young girls have redefined themselves as filmmakers instead of child brides. The program has produced 21 short films.
Some films created by girls through this program are – Ek Sall ki Dulhan, Aazadi, Meri ZIndagi, Aurat ka koi Tyoohar kyu nahi, Vikas mein Ladkiyan Kahan, Humari Khwashein and many more.
5. Cities for You(th) The Cities for You(th) project, implemented by MJAS in Ajmer district in 2023, aims to strengthen youth-led active citizenship models with a focus on using data and technologies for evidence generation and perception mapping. The project empowers young women leaders (18-25 years old) from marginalized urban communities, equipping them with skills in technology and data collection. Through the YARA Leadership Program, participants learn to understand and generate evidence on public spaces and services, developing indicators for gender-inclusive cities. An important part of the project is creating digital tools with young people’s input. They hold workshops to learn what young people want and need from their city. The project uses different ways to collect data, like mapping streets, having youth check how safe areas are, and doing community surveys. These tech-based methods help create a plan based on real information about what young people, especially young women, want in their cities. So far, 30 young women have joined a 6-month program, and they’ve gotten more than 100 other young people in Ajmer involved through campaigns and meetings, using both online and in-person activities to make changes.
6. Media Lab The Cities for You(th) project, launched by MJAS in Ajmer in 2023, empowers young women (18-25) from disadvantaged communities through a media lab. Out of 32 participants, 11 have become skilled filmmakers, creating 21 short films on social issues. The lab meets bi-weekly, teaching filmmaking skills like camera work and editing. Beyond technical training, the program develops community leadership by addressing local problems through film. Topics include child marriage, education, and the environment. The project aims for participants to independently run the lab by mid-2025, potentially as a business. This initiative nurtures both creative skills and community leadership, offering a path to financial independence.
© 2025 Mahila Jan Adhikar Samiti
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