At just 23 years old, Naina from Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, India, has been recognised on a global stage for her commitment to girls’ education and empowerment. On 11 May, she received the Amal Clooney Women’s Empowerment Award at the King’s Trust Awards in London’s Royal Albert Hall – an honour celebrating young women who have overcome significant barriers and are now driving change in their communities.

“Today, I want to tell every girl that if we are given opportunities and the right support, we can write our own stories,” Naina said upon receiving the award. “This recognition reminds me that change is possible. This award is not just mine. It belongs to every girl who is creating positive change in her life and community.”

"The struggles in my life became my strength"

Growing up in a low-income household, Naina faced pressure to leave school. One of four siblings, she was withdrawn from her studies at a young age and expected to work instead. But she refused to give up on her education. She studied alone at night by lamplight, determined to continue learning despite the obstacles in her way.

“The struggles in my life became my strength,” Naina says. Her withdrawal from school eventually led her to join Project Lehar, an Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) programme supported by King’s Trust International. Lehar works with girls aged 16–29 and their families to build life skills, strengthen confidence and shift harmful gender norms that limit girls’ opportunities.

With the support of Lehar’s mentors, Naina re-enrolled in school. She secured scholarships that supported her education journey at crucial stages. During the final years of school, she received support through the State Chief Minister’s scholarship scheme, followed by a scholarship under a Government of India scheme initiated by the Prime Minister to pursue her graduation.

Alongside the support through scholarships, Naina worked in agricultural fields and tutored young children in her village. Her determination and perseverance went on to inspire 15 other girls in the community to enrol in school as well. Today, every girl in her village attends school.

"In Project Lehar, girls are nurtured like young plants"

Since it began in 2014, Project Lehar has supported more than 15,000 girls, helping them find pathways to education, financial independence and greater gender equality. It is one of AKF’s longest‑standing programmes and has been supported by King’s Trust International since 2019.

Project Lehar currently operates in two states – in Patna, Bihar, and Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, where Naina lives. In these areas, girls often drop out of school due to domestic responsibilities, limited awareness of their rights and deeply rooted gender norms.

Against this backdrop, Lehar is deeply embedded within these communities, building strong relationships with families, schools and vocational training institutions. Through this network, girls gain the confidence to pursue the futures they dream of and are supported to do so by those around them.

Naina is a shining example of Lehar’s impact. “Girls are nurtured like young plants, so that they can grow into strong, empowered trees,” she says.

Today, she is helping nurture that growth herself as a life skills facilitator with Project Lehar in Bahraich. Naina leads sessions on communication, confidence, financial literacy and decision-making, helping girls build the skills they need to stay in school and advocate for their rights.

Her work also involves engaging parents and community leaders to prevent early marriage and create safer, more supportive environments for girls. Drawing on her own experiences, Naina has become a powerful advocate for girls’ education and independence. “I will continue to work for all those girls who wish to turn their dreams into reality, no matter how difficult the path may be,” she says.

"A true inspiration"

Naina’s visit to London to collect her award marks another milestone in her journey. Throughout the week, accompanied by AKF India CEO Tinni Sawhney and Project Lehar Coordinator Seema Shukla, Naina explored the city’s landmarks – from the London Eye to Big Ben – and attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla in honour of the Awards.

She also visited the Aga Khan Centre and the Ismaili Centre, sharing her story with the AKF UK team and members of the Ismaili community in London. At every step, Naina inspired and moved those she met, helped along by her warm smile and infectious giggle.

Tinni Sawhney, CEO of AKF India, expressed her delight at Naina’s success: “Naina is a true inspiration for young women everywhere, proving that perseverance and an unwavering commitment to education can power your dreams.”

The Awards ceremony on 11 May celebrated 50 years of the King’s Trust and welcomed a star-studded line-up. Naina met with Amal and George Clooney and Charlotte Tilbury, sponsor of the award, before taking to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall. With King Charles and Queen Camilla in the audience, Naina rose to the occasion by singing a song she often shares with the girls at Project Lehar.

The song speaks of daughters being “stars”, supporting their families, learning and working hard, and travelling the world to understand it – a dream Naina has now begun to realise through her journey from Bahraich to London.

But her greatest achievement lies at home, where she is helping other girls shine in their own communities, lighting the way for them to grow, dream and discover their own paths to empowerment.

This article was first published on the AKF website.