Bihar Women's Movement Inspires Global UN Award

A documentary capturing a women-led grassroots movement in Bihar dedicated to girls' education and combating child marriage has been honored with the United Nations SDG Action Award 2026. The film, 'Mothers of Courage,' received the prestigious award in the Creativity category during a ceremony held in Rome on Thursday. This recognition shines a global spotlight on a community-driven initiative that has successfully mobilized over 11.9 lakh individuals throughout rural India.

Directed by Vandana R Jayakumar and produced by Butterfly Effect Media, the film intricately chronicles the Shikshagraha movement. It showcases the tireless efforts of women leaders who are actively working to ensure that girls can continue their education without interruption. The campaign in Bihar has notably organized more than 51,078 Shiksha Chaupals across 14 districts since October 2024.

During these Chaupals, mothers and community members engage in crucial discussions about the barriers hindering girls' education. They collectively pledge to prevent school dropouts and child marriages. Receiving the award, Khushboo Awasthi, co-founder of Mantra4Change and chief curator of Shikshagraha, dedicated the honor to the women spearheading change in their villages. Urmila Kumari, Bihar head of the movement, emphasized education's vital role in self-reliance and encouraged women to support each other, ensuring no girl is forced to abandon her studies.

The film 'Mothers of Courage' has garnered further international acclaim, including being India's sole entry in the Sustainable Development Goals category at Cannes Lions 2026. It also secured the Best Inspirational Film award at the Los Angeles Film Awards 2026, alongside accolades at the Abby Awards and SABRE Awards, and was shortlisted for the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026.