India, Feb. 27 -- A few years ago, I met Sejal Shinde, a farmer's daughter from Raigad, Maharashtra. After securing a scholarship, she became the first girl in her family to pursue higher education, choosing architecture. During our conversation, Sejal proudly pulled out a photograph of a bus stop she and her friends had constructed in their village, utilizing recycled materials like rubber tires and rubble. They sourced local stone and even convinced the gram panchayat to partially fund the project.

My work with rural communities has introduced me to numerous girls like Sejal, who are redefining the narrative surrounding the girl child in rural India. However, this transformation extends beyond education; it necessitates the creation of...