Men generally navigate the mighty waters of the Ganga River in India professionally and for fun. The Ganga Girls program has set out to change that gender norm on navigating the river.
The Ganga Girls short film highlights this program to empower local Indian girls to find self-confidence and to find both joy and a possible career on the water. The program puts girls through kayak and raft training in an all-female environment.
‘Ganga Girls’ Short Film
I can’t do this short, powerful film justice in my own words. So, here are a few quotes, by Naina Adhikari, India’s top professional female kayaker and founder of the Ganga Girls program, that really stood out to me. But, you’ll have to watch it yourself for the really powerful punchline at the end.
“Kayaking is already, you know, a very empowering sport. I want these girls to continue kayaking. Passion or profession, in any form. Because this is something that gives you so much self-confidence. Because when you can control your boat in the river, then you can also control your life outside. You can do what you want to do. So, the freedom that kayaking gives me or has given me. This is what I want to share with the girls.
“Almost all the rivers in India are feminine in India if you look at it. And if you see the condition of women and river in India, it’s the same. A river is not treated like a river first, which is sad. We are polluting the Ganga so much. Which is the life line of India.
“And same is for a girl. Why can’t a girl live a life of her own? Why she has to come under the clutches of she’s a daughter, she’s this, she’s that? Why can’t she simply be a human first and live a life that she wants?”
Runtime: 10 minutes
