Background 

Most communities in India follow traditional patriarchal norms that are often oppressive to women. Women have been historically restricted to their assigned gender roles of being homemakers, which denies them economic and social mobility. Despite the Indian Constitution guaranteeing all citizens equal legal, political and economic rights- women continue to be in a position of disadvantage- especially in rural India.

Even though the Right to Education Act guarantees education to all children up to the age of 14, this fundamental right is often not actualized for women. The lack of access to formal education prevents the development of skills fundamental to growth and mobility. This not only hampers the potential of India to actualize economic growth and development but also prevents a significant section of the country’s population from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights- imperative to achieve self-actualization. The fight for women’s empowerment in India has been led by grassroots level activists and non-governmental organizations that seek to engage with the most oppressed stakeholders to connect them with financial, political and social structures that play a key role in their emancipation. ‘Cover Girl’ seeks to make formal structures more accessible to these women by helping them prepare their own cover letter.