Girls in Motion: Empowering Young Women through Sport and Holistic Education

Girls in Motion is a dedicated grassroots organization that leverages the power of sport to transform the lives of adolescent girls in rural areas of Madhya Pradesh, India. Founded in March 2023 by Douce de Boisgelin, the initiative was born out of a direct observation of the systemic barriers young women face, including health challenges such as anaemia and malnutrition, alongside restrictive social norms. Girls in Motion operates by establishing school-based sports clubs that serve as safe spaces for growth, strength, and community building. The organization follows a holistic model that addresses the physical, mental, and social needs of its participants. By partnering with government schools, Girls in Motion provides professional-grade sports infrastructure, high-quality equipment, and culturally sensitive uniforms—the latter created in collaboration with SZ Blockprints using sustainable, upcycled fabrics. To ensure the health of the students, the program incorporates regular medical screenings and provides nutritional support through iron-fortified supplements. Beyond the field, Girls in Motion focuses on female-led mentorship, employing qualified female coaches and mental health officers to foster leadership and self-belief. Since its launch, the program has onboarded over 4,000 girls across multiple schools, demonstrating measurable impact in reducing school absenteeism and improving overall adolescent health. By treating sport as a catalyst for equality, Girls in Motion empowers the next generation of women to see themselves as leaders and agents of change in their communities.