Mumbai's Girl Singhams: Adolescent Vigilantes Transforming Slum Communities
As dusk settles over the narrow, winding lanes of Cheetah Camp and Sathe Nagar in Mumbai, a remarkable transformation unfolds. Instead of retreating indoors, groups of young girls emerge, their eyes alert and footsteps purposeful. These are not ordinary teenagers—they are the "Girl Singhams of Mumbai," a force of over 1,200 adolescents aged 11 to 18 who have taken upon themselves the mantle of community protectors and change agents.
A Four-Year Journey of Empowerment and Change
For the past four years, twelve adolescent girl groups have been working tirelessly to reshape their neighborhoods from within. Supported by the child rights organization Child Rights and You (CRY), these young women have challenged long-standing customs and confronted social problems that many adults had accepted as inevitable. The initiative focuses on creating lasting change in critical areas including education, health and nutrition, safety and protection, and the eradication of child labor and child marriage.
The Govandi project, a key component of this movement, has established safe spaces where children's voices are heard in decisions affecting their lives. "We started by educating the community about the ill-effects of early marriage," explains Simran Shaikh, a 16-year-old leader of one Smart Adolescent Girls Group. "Almost every evening, my group walks through the locality, talking to families, listening carefully, and watching for signs that a young girl might be pushed into marriage."
Preventing Child Marriages and Keeping Girls in School
The impact of their work has been tangible and profound. "Our group has earned the trust of many families," Simran notes with pride. "Parents are beginning to understand that education and empowerment can truly change a girl's life." In recent months alone, these vigilant girls have successfully averted six child marriages in their vicinity, ensuring that the young girls who were about to be married off have returned to their classrooms instead.
Salma (name changed), a Class 8 student and group member for two years, exemplifies this transformation. Initially hesitant to join, she was encouraged by her friend Rukshana, an existing member. Coming from a family where her father drives an auto and her mother works as domestic help, Salma nearly dropped out of school to support her family. "I had almost dropped out of school to support my mother, but Rukshana encouraged me to complete my education," she recalls. Her family had planned to marry her off at 16, but through persistent meetings and persuasion by the group, Salma was allowed to continue her schooling.
Kumar Nilendu, who works with CRY in the western region, emphasizes the effectiveness of their approach. "They have identified cases early and acted in time. With support from facilitators and local authorities, the girls were able to convince families to stop the marriages. Alongside, CRY ensured structured life-skills programmes to strengthen their confidence and leadership."
Reclaiming Public Spaces and Ensuring Safety
The Girl Singhams' influence extends beyond preventing child marriages. During a routine group meeting, their attention turned to Karbala Maidan—the only open space available to children in the area. The ground was dark, neglected, and unsafe, with no lights, no CCTV cameras, and uneven terrain that made playing cricket or football difficult. Through collective action, the girls advocated for improvements. Soon, red soil was laid to even the ground, streetlights were refurbished, and CCTV cameras were installed. What was once a place to avoid has gradually transformed into a space for laughter, evening games, and freedom.
Similarly, the girls confronted an illegal liquor vending shop that made their neighborhood unsafe. "We felt unsafe even walking in the lane," recalls Asmita Sharma, one of the group leaders. "Drunk men would sit near the entrance. There was harassment." Fifty girls gathered to discuss the issue, drafted letters, and marched to the police station to file a formal complaint. Their efforts led to the shop's closure.
Alka, 15, who participated in the march to demand the liquor shop's closure, comes from a financially weak family of five children. She says the experience gave her immense confidence. "Even my parents congratulated me for my efforts," she shares, adding that the experience inspired her to dream of becoming a police officer.
Transformation Through Collective Action
These initiatives have fundamentally transformed the girls involved. They now speak without fear, confidently walking into police stations, municipal offices, and elected representatives' chambers. They listen patiently to younger children, encourage them to speak up, and stand firm when rights are threatened—respectfully but without hesitation.
On the eve of National Girl Child Day, the Girl Singhams continue their quiet vigil, proving that adolescent girls can be powerful catalysts for community change. Their story is a testament to the potential of youth-led movements in addressing deep-rooted social issues and creating safer, more equitable environments for all.
