Projects
As a proud Gender Rights Activist, I am collaborating closely with Mr. Sunil Jaglan, a Presidential Awardee and international icon with recognition from Prime Minister Modi. Under Mr. Jaglan's mentorship and inspiration, I engage in challenging the prevailing narrative on gender injustice, across 40 villages in India, including in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, where the problem of gender inequality and safety is a burning issue. We have established initiatives aimed at fostering societal change including opening of girls' only libraries, the distribution of period charts (to facilitate support for teenage girls from the men in their households during their menstruation), and the installation of nameplates for women outside their homes (symbolizing joint ownership). We have visited multiple public and private schools in these rural areas, conducting sessions to raise awareness about women's safety and inequality. This empathetic engagement, underscored by the compassion and altruism with which I've approached these initiatives, was especially evident when I had the honor of being invited as a guest speaker at a Senior Secondary School in Jind, India, to address around 100 students from the 11th and 12th grade about this issue. I feel this experience has accelerated my learning of the cycle of giving back to society. This journey has not only been about advocating for rights but also about showing benevolence, understanding, and a heartfelt commitment to fostering an inclusive society.
Lado Pustakalya: Libraries for Empowerment
A campaign dedicated to building libraries in villages, providing girls with the resources and opportunities to continue their education, pursue higher studies, and prepare for competitive exams. By fostering a culture of learning, Lado Pustakalya empowers young girls to break barriers and strive for a brighter future.
Breaking Barriers: Promoting Equality and Women's Safety in Schools
I was honoured to serve as the Guest of Honour at the Supreme Secondary School in Jind, where I addressed over 50 students from grades 11 and 12 and discussed cultural taboos that perpetuate inequality and address important issues surrounding women’s safety.
Empowering Generations Through Women-Led Preschools
This campaign worked with women who were denied the chance to be educated, supporting them as they now lead preschools to teach and inspire the next generation of girls. It aimed to instill in young girls the awareness of their right to education, while breaking the cycle of inequality and challenging the notion that girls don’t belong in schools, fostering hope and empowerment for the future.
Period Chart Campaign: Breaking the Menstruation Taboo
This campaign introduced period charts displayed on the walls of girls' homes, encouraging open conversations about menstrual health. By normalizing the discussion and addressing the stigma surrounding menstruation, the initiative empowers girls to take control of their health while challenging deep-rooted taboos in society.
Beti Hui Hai: Celebrating the Girl Child
Empowering Through Access: Period Kits for Schools
With the simple yet powerful words "Beti Hui Hai" (A Girl Child is Born), this initiative spreads the message of equality, urging rural government leaders to celebrate the birth of girls. Through meaningful discussions and meetings with the village leaders of Kanwari, Hisar, it challenges traditional biases and seeks to inspire communities to value and empower every girl child, fostering a culture of acceptance and opportunity.
This campaign focused on distributing period kits to women teachers and girls at schools in Hisar, Haryana
Nameplates of Equality: Recognizing Women in Their Households
During a session held in one of the villages in Haryana, I worked with families to install nameplates bearing women’s names outside their homes. These nameplates symbolized joint ownership and sought to challenge traditional norms that often prioritized male recognition in households. This initiative not only created visible symbols of equality but also encouraged families to take pride in empowering the women in their homes.
Addressing Women’s Safety and Gender Injustice with Aseema NGO:
Conducted a session with 9th and 10th graders from the Aseema NGO in Mumbai, focusing on women’s safety and gender injustice. I have been actively involved with this NGO for two years, including one year as part of my CAS service work for the IB program.
My trip to Haryana and internship with Mr. Sunil Jaglan
My journey to Haryana, under the mentorship of the renowned activist and professor Sunil Jaglan, was not just a physical exploration of villages but a profound immersion into the heart of social change. This essay delves into my experiences during the internship, focusing on the issue of women's inequality, the transformations witnessed, and the contributions made toward fostering a more inclusive society.
The journey began with a flight from Mumbai to Delhi, where I carried essential equipment for our venture. A three-hour drive from Delhi led us to Sultanpur, a village on the outskirts of Haryana, which presented a unique scenario - a majority of women in the Panchayat, with a female Sarpanch leading the village. This stark contrast from traditional norms highlighted the village's commitment to gender equality.
The village of Sultanpur not only defied gender norms in its governance but also spearheaded progressive projects. The construction of a library with over 500 books and textbooks showcased a commitment to education. Notably, the library was managed by a retired librarian from Delhi, reflecting the
villagers' dedication to giving back to their community. During our interviews with older women, they expressed a longing for educational opportunities similar to the ones available now. They conveyed a genuine desire to pursue education and study, but societal norms in their generation hindered such aspirations. Remarkably, feedback from the community indicated a reversal of trends, with more girls actively participating in education compared to boys. This shift signifies a keen interest among girls for education, challenging the historical restrictions they faced.
The transformation in Sultanpur extended beyond infrastructure to a change in mindset. The establishment of new facilities such as temples, schools for both genders, and the library marked a holistic approach toward progress. We conducted interviews with four elderly women who recently established a school in the village. They expressed a profound sentiment, acknowledging the opportunities they missed during their youth. Determined not to let history repeat itself, they are committed to giving back to the new generation. These women aspire to utilize their teaching skills to educate girls, ensuring they can realize their true potential.
