Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra tells girls that education is pathway to better future

Indian film star and singer Priyanka Chopra has given a boost to girls and young women who are working hard to overcome challenges such as child marriage and being forced to drop out of school.

The Bollywood actress marked International Youth Day on August 12 by visiting a small village near聽Chandrapur in聽Maharashtra state.

There she saw the results of the Building Young Futures programme, run by UNICEF and Barclays to empower adolescent girls.

Priyanka, a UNICEF India Ambassador for eight years, said: 国产视频淚t国产视频檚 taking young people and telling them 国产视频榊ou are so much more than people tell you, so much more than even you think国产视频�.国产视频�

In a blog for CNN, she added: 国产视频淚n Maharashtra, like many other states in India, girls are held back by not completing education, early marriage, ignorance around health issues, and lacking financial understanding and a voice for decision making.

国产视频淲e owe them a better life, which in itself will have a positive impact on our nation and society as a whole.

国产视频淚f we can educate more girls, provide them with employment opportunities and give them the right life skills, their world will open up!国产视频�

Because of the Building Young Futures聽programme, more girls in India are saying no to early marriage and insisting on continuing their education. The programme enables disadvantaged young people to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to set up a small business or find a job.

During her visit, Priyanka met Sadhana, who was forced to drop out of school and go to live relatives because her family considered her a burdem.

Now 23, she went through the programme and is a聽community leader, holding training session to help other girls build confidence. With her father now too ill to work, she runs聽a tailoring business to support her family and has re-enrolled in school.

Sadhana said: 国产视频淣ow I know a girl is no less than a boy.国产视频�

You can also watch a CNN video of Priyanka国产视频檚 visit to聽Chandrapur.