Embrace is a grassroots gender lab focused on normalizing gender conversations through program design, training, and skilling for organizations, alongside research and advocacy efforts. As an independent consultant, I work closely with various organizations to bring gender perspectives into their programs, helping them build more inclusive and equitable frameworks. Each project represents a unique approach to empowering marginalized communities, fostering inclusion, and driving systemic change through innovative, hands-on solutions and grassroots action.
Oscar Foundation's Football-based Gender & Life Skills Program
Oscar Foundation's Gender-Based Life Skills Football Curriculum, implemented since 2023, engages marginalized adolescents in Mumbai through football-based activities to explore gender concepts such as sexual reproductive health, safety, consent, and gender identities. This six-module program empowers youth to challenge gender norms and stereotypes in real-world scenarios. Ongoing capacity-building workshops for staff and young leaders reinforce the foundation’s commitment to creating a gender-inclusive environment.
Gender & Health for Rural Women: An initiative by One Billion Literates Foundation
One of the programs I designed and lead at One Billion Literates Foundation, funded by the Bumble Next Movers 2023 Grant, equips rural women in Anekal Taluk with essential knowledge on sexual reproductive health, safety, and rights. The first phase focuses on building their capacity around gender and health, while the second phase involves community outreach, where women use gender-based toolkits to engage their children and peers, driving social change and fostering collective awareness.
The Dailogue's Toolkit to Streamline Gender Safety in the Digital Space
The Dialogue's initiative to combat tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), launched in October 2024, is built on a six-stage framework aimed at creating safer digital spaces. This project targets government representatives, legislators, and educational institutions, providing them with customized toolkits and strategies to address TFGBV. In collaboration with key institutions, we conduct workshops to equip stakeholders with practical tools and foster collaboration. As the lead for the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) strategy, I design data collection processes to assess the toolkits' effectiveness and ensure the project adapts to the needs of each stakeholder group.
Vacha Charitable Trust's Gender Curriculum for Adolescent Girls & Teachers
The Vacha Trust Gender Programs, which I am currently developing, aim to empower marginalized adolescents and build capacity among adult stakeholders, including NGO workers and teachers. These structured modules focus on leadership, health, gender awareness, and social action, addressing critical topics like sexual reproductive health, mental well-being, patriarchy, and gender-based violence. Through participatory activities, the programs foster self-awareness, challenge social norms, and promote a more inclusive environment for both adolescents and adults.
LGBT+ Inclusivity & Gender Sensitization Training
Since 2021, I have designed and led LGBT+ Inclusivity and Gender Sensitization Training workshops across Bangalore and PAN India. These workshops create safe spaces for participants to explore gender identities, challenge biases, and promote allyship. Alongside these efforts, I have collaborated with corporations to foster LGBT+ inclusion by designing gender sensitization sessions and developing DEI policies, including work with Dr. Reddy's, Deloitte, and NASCOMM, among others. Through these initiatives, I aim to destigmatize LGBT identities and cultivate inclusive environments.
Sensitizing Adolescent Boys in Rural Telangana
During my time at VOICE4Girls from 2018 to 2020, I spearheaded the Boys4Change initiative, a program aimed at sensitizing adolescent boys on critical gender issues. The goal was to create 'gender ambassadors'—boys who would actively support their peers, particularly adolescent girls, in challenging patriarchy and promoting gender equality. Delivered in a camp format, the program included two modules, Fireflies and Supernova, which used experiential learning techniques to explore gender roles, rights, and leadership.