Archive · 7 Jun 2025
Ex-Footballer's Initiative Empowers Girls in Bihar Village
In a village in Bihar, India, a former footballer is helping girls change their lives.
He started a program that uses football to get girls interested in school and healthcare.
Girls, ages 12-16, can learn football and become optometrists (eye doctors).
An eye hospital helps by providing training and a place to live.
The program aims to fight inequality and prevent child marriage.
Girls' parents agree they won't get married before age 23.
The hospital plans to train many more girls as optometrists to help people with eye problems.
Former footballer Mritunjay Tiwari launched a program linking football and girls' education in Mastichak village.
The program aims to empower girls and provide opportunities in healthcare and sports.
Around 800 girls are involved, with some training as optometrists and others participating in national football.
Akhand Jyoti eye hospital supports the initiative by providing training, education, and accommodation.
The program targets gender inequality and aims to prevent child marriage, with parents' commitment.
- Who
- Mritunjay Tiwari, a former footballer, and Akhand Jyoti eye hospital
- What
- A program linking football with girls' education and healthcare training.
- When
- Ongoing.
- Where
- Mastichak village, Saran district, Bihar, India.
- Why
- To empower girls, combat gender inequality, and provide opportunities for education and healthcare careers.
- Location
- Mastichak village, Saran district, Bihar
- Girls involved in the program
- Nearly 800
- Career Goals
- Optometrists and professional football
- Girls participated in national-level football tournaments
- 15
- Key Partner
- Akhand Jyoti eye hospital
- Hospital's future plans
- Vision 2030, 12 million eye screenings and 2 million surgeries