We envision a future where every schoolgirl in Madhya Pradesh can dream, move, and thrive—uninhibited by tradition, poverty, or fear.
By breaking cultural barriers and building equitable pathways to play, Girls in Motion harnesses sport as a force to fight anxiety, build confidence, and create real opportunity. Our aspiration is that every schoolgirl becomes stronger in body and mind, leading change in her family and community.
India is home to 1.6 billion people, 65% under age 35, yet at the 2024 Olympics, only one medal was won by an Indian woman, Manu Bhaker, in shooting.
There’s an urgent need to make stories like Manu’s commonplace: when every schoolgirl gets equal opportunity to compete, train, and play, these achievements will become the norm, not the anomaly. Investing in girls’ sport today means unleashing far more talent, ambition, and victories tomorrow—for girls in every corner of India.
Just 13% of girls in rural India participate in organised sports compared to 26% of boys, with fewer than 1 in 7 schoolgirls accessing a sports facility regularly.
This stark gender gap highlights the systemic barriers—from cultural norms to lack of infrastructure—that keep millions of girls sidelined. Closing this gap is essential to empower girls with the physical, mental, and social benefits of sport, building resilience and confidence that extend far beyond the playing field.
1 in 3 rural Indian schoolgirls identifies social stigma around menstruation as a barrier to attending sports or PE classes.
Cultural taboos and limited access to hygiene products cause girls to miss practices and feel excluded during their periods. Tackling menstrual stigma and providing education is essential for keeping girls playing, confident, and healthy—on and off the field.
Up to 68% of school-going adolescent girls in rural Central India experience severe anxiety, often linked to social exclusion and lack of safe recreation
Without safe spaces to play and connect, many girls face persistent stress and isolation. By creating supportive athletic environments, we use sport to boost wellbeing, resilience, and community—helping girls to feel seen, strong, and included
How We Combat These Issues
We work directly with schools and communities to:
Build safe, accessible sports facilities and provide culturally sensitive sports uniforms.
Equip girls with qualified female coaches and holistic health programs including nutrition and mental wellbeing.
Create inclusive, empowering sports clubs that build confidence, teamwork, and leadership.
Connect local efforts with global supporters to raise funds, awareness, and opportunities.
By blending local insight with global support, we create sustainable change, empowering girls to thrive physically, mentally, and socially.
