We’re first introduced to 23-year-old Komal, a Breakthrough Team Change Leader, with her bursting into tears. 

We – the Breakthrough team – were in Meesa village near Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, in a school to meet a remarkable young woman who had worked her way to become a head teacher in the very school she studied in. 

Owing to a gentle misunderstanding of when and where we were expected to arrive, the first time we met Komal was slightly dramatic, but that quickly smoothed over when she realised we were not there in any way to disrupt her work at the school. It was a great introduction to Komal as a person: she was both driven and serious, and someone who refused to let her time be taken for granted. And she was also someone who was fiercely protective of her work and time at her school, as we found out! 

No wonder that, as head teacher, she was now responsible for over a hundred students! 

We got to spend a lot of time with Komal and witnessed her teaching the students in the school, all of whom were deeply respectful of their young teacher’s commanding presence. And not just students, as the principal of the school explained to us: as head teacher, Komal also managed the other teachers of the school. 

Not bad, for a young person who not very long ago was studying at this very school! 

How did Komal manage this? It all started in 2016, when Breakthrough started to conduct sessions in Komal’s school. For many girls, dropping out of school to help with domestic chores or to get married early is a reality of life, but Komal refused to let her life be dictated by patriarchal expectations. She started attending Breakthrough’s sessions, and learned about her rights: to finish schooling, to choose a career of her choice and perhaps most importantly, to not give up on her dreams.  

For many girls, dropping out of school to help with domestic chores or to get married early is a reality of life, but Komal refused to let her life be dictated by patriarchal expectations

Sitting in her home in Meesa and surrounded by her younger siblings, it’s clear that Komal is no less than a role model for her family. Initially, as we spoke to her, she was a little reserved and serious – a reflection of the same kind of respect that she commanded in the corridors of her school.

But the longer we spoke to her, the more she opened up and soon, her seriousness had given way to an occasional smile here and there and we caught a glimpse of the impatient but driven young woman beneath. She had as many questions for us as we did for her and it was clear in our talks with her that she had a set, definite vision of her life. 

“Mujhe lawyer banna hai (I want to be a lawyer),” she declared to us, and with a spirit and ambition like hers, we are sure it will be possible! 

[Komal] learned about her rights: to finish schooling, to choose a career of her choice and perhaps most importantly, to not give up on her dreams.  

Change does not happen overnight, it’s only possible through the efforts of driven young people like Komal. That’s why at Breakthrough we’re proud to be empowering Komal and others like her to be the leaders of a new and more gender-equal generation. 

If you want to help us in this journey and support more young people like Komal, support Breakthrough’s work today.