Distributes bicycles to support young learners, as part of the company’s broader Women’s Day initiative
Udaipur : In its quest to enable young women break barriers and access learning opportunities without constraints, Zurich Kotak General Insurance along with Z Zurich Foundation, a charitable foundation funded by various members of the Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich), distributed bicycles to out‑of‑school adolescent girls from remote villages in Rajasthan.
This initiativeundertaken as part of Zurich Kotak’s larger Women’s Day initiative, was conducted in association with Plan International (IndiaChapter)also known as Plan India, a nationally registered not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and equality for girls. Itcomplements the Balika Shivir program, which empowers school dropouts to attend the learning centre and complete their education.
Since 2022, Plan India,with support from Z Zurich Foundation has implemented Balika Shivir: Accelerated Learning Centre for Girls project in Rajasthan’s Udaipur and Bikaner districts and in 2 districts of Jharkhand. This project aims to reduce the vulnerabilities of adolescent girls aged 13-18 yearswho have dropped out of school by helping them complete their education through the National Institute of Open Schooling or other distance education options. Young women aged 19-24 years who have dropped out of school are helped to gain vocational skills to generate income. Beyond academic support, the Balika Shivir project fosters community involvement through the Sakhi Sangam groups. These groups serve as social accelerators, challenging social and gender norms within their communities and driving recognition in the community for the value of girls’ education.
Commenting on the initiative,Mr. Vinayak Jayaram, CHRO, Zurich Kotak General Insurance said, “In India, school dropout rates among girls remain high due to socio-economic challenges, particularly in remote areas with limited access to basic infrastructure. In many such communities, bicycles are a critical means of transportation, which can significantly improve access to schools and enable a bright academic education. Through this initiative, we aim to support girls in continuing their education by addressing a practical barrier to school attendance. At Zurich Kotak, we are committed to enabling access to education, which plays a vital role in supporting long-term socio-economic progress and advancing equity and inclusion.”
Ms. Barbara Jordan,representative of the Z Zurich Foundation in Asia Pacific, who was in Udaipur to visit the Balika Shivir girls, said, “The Z Zurich Foundation aimsto create a more inclusive society where everyone has the chance to succeed. By providing resources, knowledge and skills, we help vulnerable individuals unlock their potential. For the Balika Shivir girls, bicycles are so much more than a means of transport. In many instances, they mean safety, time gained, and money saved – all of those factors that can stop girls from studying.Zurich Kotak employees gave generously to this fundraising initiative, showing their support for the girls’ learning journey.
Mr. Mohammed Asif, Executive director of Plan International (India chapter) shared,“This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that every girl and young woman has the opportunity to build a secure future. Over the past three years, together with our partners Zurich Kotak General Insurance and Z Zurich Foundation, we have supported 4,441 out-of-school girls to return to and complete their education, while enabling 3,745 young women to gain vocational skills and move toward sustainable livelihood opportunities. The recognition the project got from local government stakeholders reaffirms our belief that investing in girls’ education is truly transformative — for girls, their families, and for India’s journey towards a Viksit Bharat by 2047. We are grateful to Zurich Kotak General Insurance and Z Zurich Foundation for their continued support in making this impact possible.” The bicycle distribution drive is part of the organization’s broader commitment to community development, gender equity, and educational support. The initiative also aligns with the Z Zurich Foundation’s global focus on creating social impact through education and resilience-building programs.
