- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Surpassing Stereotypes: Youth in Children International Programs Not Only Overcome Gender Discrimination – They Often Exceed Their Own Expectations https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/46401?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/46401?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/46401?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Surpassing Stereotypes: Youth in Children International Programs Not Only Overcome Gender Discrimination – They Often Exceed Their Own Expectations&body=ESG News from Children International https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/46401?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Social Impact & Volunteering](/CSR-News/social-impact-volunteering) # Surpassing Stereotypes: Youth in Children International Programs Not Only Overcome Gender Discrimination – They Often Exceed Their Own Expectations Aug 25, 2014 3:00 PM ET Campaign: [Empowering Girls](/news/campaign/empowering-girls) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/Surpassing_Stereotypes_2_0.jpg ""My family was adamant that I should get married. I was equally adamant that I wanted to study," says Susmita. ©2014 Children International") "My family was adamant that I should get married. I was equally adamant that I wanted to study," says Susmita. ©2014 Children International [Surpassing Stereotypes](https://www.children.org/Surpassing-Stereotypes?lang=en-US%3F&rs_id=132) *By Deron Denton* Managing a vegetable cart on the bustling streets of Kolkata, India, 18-year-old Susmita sustains a quiet, if fierce, dignity. It's a dignity born of opportunity, as well as rugged determination. Unlike her two older sisters – and nearly half of all young women in India – Susmita didn't marry before her 18th birthday. "After completing public school," she recalls, "my family was adamant that I should get married. I was equally adamant that I wanted to study." Susmita credits her involvement with our youth programs for helping her foster the inner strength to persevere against traditional gender type. "The Youth Program," she says, "raised my level of confidence ... and also has enhanced my negotiation skills. And these have helped me overcome challenges that I face every day in the family." Now, thanks to her hard work and a HOPE scholarship, Susmita tends the vegetable cart in the morning and attends college courses in the afternoon, where she is studying to become a teacher. "The aim of my life is to be self-sufficient," she says with pride. Adding, "... the HOPE scholarship is like a boon that has changed the course of my life." *Photo and reporting assistance by Nivedita Moitra.* ***This story, along with two other success stories, is available on the*** [***eNews section***](https://www.children.org/Surpassing-Stereotypes?lang=en-US?&rs_id=132) ***of our website.*** ***Learn more about how Children International is*** [***empowering girls***](http://3blmedia.com/News/Campaign/Empowering-Girls)***.*** **About Children International** Children International prepares children and youth to escape the traps of poverty by supporting their critical needs, building resilience, and engaging them in transformative activities. Children International accomplishes this by providing crucial benefits and compassionate care through easily accessible, modern community centers. Children International’s presence, programs and supporters have a positive impact on children, youth, families and communities; provide protection; encourage self-sufficiency; and serve as catalysts for change. ***For more information about* *Children International, visit*** [***www.children.org***](http://www.children.org/?&rs_id=132)***.*** ***Follow Children International on*** [***Facebook***](http://www.facebook.com/children.international?ref=nf) ***and*** [***Twitter***](http://twitter.com/Children_Intl)***.*** [![Children International logo](/sites/default/files/Clients/CIlogo_CMYKPurple.jpg)](/profiles/children-international) ### More from Children International ###### [The KU Sport Psychology Lab and Children International Partner to Create a Caring Sports Environment for Kids](/news/ku-sport-psychology-lab-and-children-international-partner-create-caring-sports-environment) Aug 16, 2016 7:05 AM ET ###### [Cormack Family Funds New Children International Community Center and Youth Center in Colombia](/news/cormack-family-funds-new-children-international-community-center-and-youth-center-colombia) Aug 1, 2016 6:05 AM ET ###### [5 Stories of Youth Unemployment Worldwide from the GroundTruth Project](/news/5-stories-youth-unemployment-worldwide-groundtruth-project) Jun 27, 2016 12:00 PM ET ###### [Facts About Global Poverty and Employment](/news/facts-about-global-poverty-and-employment) Jun 10, 2016 7:00 AM ET ###### [Facts About Global Poverty and Empowerment](/news/facts-about-global-poverty-and-empowerment) Jun 9, 2016 11:05 AM ET ###### [Facts About Global Poverty and Education](/news/facts-about-global-poverty-and-education) Jun 8, 2016 10:05 AM ET ###### [Facts About Global Poverty and Health ](/news/facts-about-global-poverty-and-health) Jun 7, 2016 9:05 AM ET ###### [Global Poverty Facts](/news/global-poverty-facts) Jun 6, 2016 2:05 PM ET