<p>In its commitment to provide equal opportunity to girls and remove gender-based discrimination in a patriarchal society like Bihar, Akhand Jyoti through its &lsquo;Gender Equality Programme&rsquo; provides free boarding, training and education to underprivileged rural girls and support them to become qualified optometrists who in turn drive the blindness eradication programme. Girls enrolled in the programme are employed back in the organization after the completion of diploma course in Optometry (2 + 3 years). Through the signature &lsquo;Football to Eyeball&rsquo; programme, girls are encouraged to play football to build their self-confidence.</p>

<p>While most of girls play football for fun but few play professional football and have already represented Bihar at national level. Objective is to ensure 50% of the leadership at Akhand Jyoti are women and to create social change agents who in turn encourages other underprivileged girls in the community.</p>