Socioeconomic Fault Lines Navigating the Educational Challenges Faced by Marginalized Adolescent Girls

The COVID-19 lockdown has exacerbated educational disparities, particularly for marginalized adolescent girls. This study explores the complex challenges faced by Kajal, Reema, and Priya, aged 14 to 17, in Tihar Gaon, West Delhi. These girls grapple with domestic responsibilities, socioeconomic constraints, and exploitative social dynamics that hinder their educational and personal development. Kajal’s narrative reveals the oppressive nature of early marriages and financial manipulation, where Chachaji’s exorbitant loans perpetuate a cycle of exploitation and educational marginalization. Despite completing her 12th grade, Kajal’s socio-economic conditions and malnourished state impede her pursuit of higher education, reflecting a grim reality for many girls in similar situations. Reema’s story highlights the detrimental impact of dowry culture, which forces families to prioritize financial savings over girls’ education. Her aspirations for vocational jobs are stifled by economic barriers, and rigid social hierarchies between employer and employee families further restrict her personal growth. Priya’s account underscores the pervasive inequalities within her community, where delayed salaries, workplace mistreatment, and a lack of financial control perpetuate instability. The COVID-19 pandemic further severed their ties with education, amplifying existing challenges. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to dismantle systemic barriers and promote individual empowerment. Education, while a fundamental right, often becomes a source of frustration due to structural inequalities. Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires a holistic approach, including financial literacy, awareness of scholarships, and supportive educational environments. The narratives of Kajal, Reema, and Priya highlight the imperative to break free from cycles of exploitation and ensure equal educational opportunities for all girls, enabling them to realize their full potential.