The Self-Defense Workshop for Batch-4 Kishori Leaders from Azad Kishori Program in Jaipur marked its successful completion on August 11, 2024. Over two days, 25 enthusiastic young Kishori leaders participated in this intensive training, guided by experienced facilitators Manbhar Devi and Shashi. The workshop included practical exercises, role-plays, and simulations designed to teach the participants essential self-defense techniques and strategies.
Highlights of the event included sessions on physical defense techniques, understanding and enforcing personal boundaries, and real-life scenario simulations to boost confidence. The workshop underscored the importance of continuous practice, staying alert, and trusting one’s instincts. Participants left with a renewed sense of empowerment and community support, ready to stand up against violence and harassment with newfound confidence.
The Azad Foundation, in partnership with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), celebrated the successful conclusion of its training program with a certificate distribution ceremony for the trainees at the India International Centre. The program, supported by ADB and EESL, empowered 200 women from resource-poor backgrounds by training them in commercial driving, including the operation of electric and conventional vehicles. This program has been pivotal in transforming their lives, enhancing their self-confidence, mobility, and enabling them to become breadwinners for their families.
The event was graced by Shri Vishal Kapoor, CEO of EESL, and other distinguished guests from ADB and EESL. Shri Kapoor highlighted the program’s impact on empowering women, emphasizing the crucial role of skill development in creating economic opportunities and challenging gender-based barriers. Shrinivas Rao, National Lead of Azad Foundation, shared the vision and impact of the program, showcasing its success in transforming the lives of its participants. The ceremony also featured inspiring testimonials from several drivers trained in the program who shared their personal journeys of overcoming challenges and achieving independence through the program.
Azad Foundation is honored to receive the 2024 Champion of Youth Award from its long-time grant partner, EMpower – The Emerging Markets Foundation. EMpower’s support over the last decade has been indispensable to Azad’s journey.
When Azad and its strategic partner Sakha began in 2008, envisioning young women in the non-traditional livelihood of driving was a completely new idea. Today, over 3,500 women trained by Azad have been placed as professional chauffeurs and riders through Sakha across India, and now in Hungary as well. As we traveled this road, there emerged new areas that needed work—from creating decent livelihood opportunities for women drivers, building an environment of support in communities, to promoting gender sensitivity in the markets. But there also came partners like EMpower who made the journey easier and ensured that our impact reached those who needed it most.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Nisha Dhawan, Vice President, Impact & Influence, for walking this path with us, and to Cynthia Steele, President and CEO, for her leadership and support. Most importantly, we recognize and thank each of the brave women riders and drivers to whom this award is dedicated. They have “trodden the road not taken” and demonstrated a new path to freedom and autonomy for many more young girls and women to follow.
We hope for this friendship and partnership with EMpower to continue for many years to come, as we strive to empower young women from marginalized communities to break barriers at home and in the workforce, and become the ‘SHEROS’ of their own lives.
Azad Foundation actively participated in UNCSW-68, contributing to discussions aligned with the theme of “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.” Azad and its partners highlighted shared strategies to promote gender equality, economic inclusion, and social justice.
On March 12, 2024, Azad Foundation co-hosted two in-person parallel events in New York. The first event, “Eradicating Poverty Through Innovative Strategies of Ensuring Women’s Social and Economic Inclusion,” brought together the International Council of Social Welfare Taiwan, Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL) Network, and Gender at Work. The event focused on innovative approaches to empower women from marginalized communities, emphasizing the critical role of economic opportunities in eradicating poverty and advancing gender equality.
The second event, “Engaging Men in Challenging Social Norms/Systems for Gender Justice,” co-hosted with Breakthrough in partnership with MenEngage Alliance and Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, explored the role of men in challenging patriarchal systems and advancing gender justice. The discussion highlighted effective strategies for engaging men as allies in the fight for gender equality and creating an environment conducive to women’s empowerment.
On March 11, 2024, Azad Foundation also co-hosted a virtual side event titled “How Non-Traditional Livelihoods can advance Gender Equality: Insights from India,” in collaboration with EMpower, UNDP India, and Mahindra Group. This event showcased how empowering women to enter male-dominated professions through Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL) can challenge societal norms, reduce gender-based violence, and foster economic independence.
Azad Foundation Kolkata organized a unique sports event titled “Olot Palot” that brought together MGJ members, Azad Kishori leaders, and their parents for a day of high energy and excitement. The event was designed to challenge and break traditional gender stereotypes through interactive and engaging games, reflecting the foundation’s commitment to promoting gender equality.
Sports often reinforce gender divisions and stereotypes from a young age, shaping the roles that boys and girls are expected to play in society. Understanding this, “Olot Palot” was created to turn these roles upside down—offering a fresh perspective on gender roles by engaging participants in activities traditionally associated with the opposite gender.
For boys, the games focused on tasks they typically wouldn’t engage in, such as making rotis, folding sarees and shirts, threading needles, folding mosquito nets, putting pillow covers, and even racing after making a braid. These activities not only provided a fun challenge but also fostered an understanding of the everyday tasks often left to women. On the other hand, girls participated in games that are usually seen as ‘male’ domains, like kicking a football, fixing a bulb with an electric point, hammering nails, and competing in a sum race. These activities boosted their confidence in skills traditionally considered out of reach for them and showed that they are equally capable of performing these tasks.
“Olot Palot” was not just about playing games- it was about identifying gender-based discrimination and discriminatory social norms that start in childhood. The event brought together participants of all ages, including parents, to witness and take part in the breaking down of gender barriers, promoting a more inclusive and equal society from the ground up.
Azad Foundation’s Alumni Meets united 1,500 alumni from its programs, including women drivers and community change agents, in a series of events celebrating diversity, equality, and women’s inclusion in non-traditional skill education and workforce. In Delhi, over 300 alumni gathered on November 26 to celebrate Constitution Day with the Kamla Bhasin Award, honoring gender equality champions in non-traditional livelihoods for women in South Asia. The event, filled with inspiring songs and performances, paid homage to Kamla Bhasin, a renowned feminist activist.
In Kolkata, on International Human Rights Day, Azad partnered with KYN Bengal and Swayam Kolkata, amplifying the voices of cis and trans women drivers and trainees through poems, songs, and panel discussions. Special guests, including Urmimala Bose and Srovonti Bose Bandyopadhyay, enriched the event with their performances.
In Jaipur, under the theme “Main, Tum Aur Hum,” the alumni meet highlighted the experiences of women working in non-traditional roles, like driving ambulances and running businesses, and celebrated the achievements of adolescent alumni excelling in various fields. The event also featured a discussion on mental health facilitated by WYSA, concluding with collective singing and dancing, fostering a sense of solidarity and co-learning among the participants.
On November 2023, Azad, in collaboration with National Foundation for India (NFI) and iPartner India, honored Kamla Bhasin’s legacy at the second Kamla Bhasin Award Ceremony. The day commemorated Kamla’s life and legacy which has served as a guiding light for the women’s movement in India and South Asia. The award received 57 nominations from various countries, each representing a long and inspiring journey towards empowerment and gender justice. Rita Thapa, celebrated feminist educator and community activist graced the occasion with her inspiring words. The 4 winners were felicitated during the ceremony with virtual messages of support and admiration from Munizae Jahangir, Khushi Kabir and Radhika Coomaraswamy.
Breaking free from all restraints, the women come…
Jayasree, Winner in Category 1, felicitated by Binda Pandey, Award Jury Member
Jaysaree PK and Parina Limbu are women practitioners of non-traditional livelihoods, shattering gender stereotypes and empowering many women to transform their lives. Jayasree, a skilled mason currently working with Archana Women’s Centre, was awarded in Category 1. Parina, the founder of Dristi Nepal, the first organisation in Nepal led by women who use drugs, received the Special Jury Award in Category 1.
Men of quality are not afraid of equality!
Mahendra, Winner in Category 2, felicitated by Prof. Rama Baru, Board Member of NFI
Mahendra Kumar and Farhan Akhtar embody Kamla’s vision of a gender-equal world. Mahendra, the recipient of the award in Category 2, engages boys and men in challenging patriarchal norms and becoming allies for gender equality through his organisation MITRA. Farhan, recipient of the Special Jury Award in Category 2, initiated the Men Against Rape and Discrimination (MARD) campaign in 2013 to promote positive masculinity and challenge violence against women.
The vibrant event brought together over 300 participants from media, civil society, donor organizations, and Azad’s women drivers and young feminist leaders, culminating in a musical tribute by renowned singer Shubha Mudgal, leaving the audience inspired and hopeful for a more equitable world.
Azad Foundation marked a significant milestone on August 8, 2023, with the dissemination of Impact Assessment of its Programs (2008-2o22) at the India Habitat Centre (IHC), Delhi. This report, supported by the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) and conducted by Prof. Krishna Menon and Prof. Rukmini Sen from Ambedkar University Delhi, offers a comprehensive feminist evaluation of Azad’s programs from 2008 to 2022. The assessment goes beyond traditional program evaluation, delving into the underlying feminist theories and the socio-cultural context in which Azad operates.
The dissemination event commenced with the release of the study report, where researchers provided a brief summary of the key findings. These findings, drawn from interviews and focus group discussions, reveal critical insights into the transformation of WWW trainees and the impact of non-traditional livelihoods on women’s empowerment.
A panel discussion titled “Women’s Participation in Non-Traditional Skilling and Livelihood – The Need for Creating a Gender-Just Ecosystem” followed the report release. Moderated by Ms. Meenu Vadera, the panel included distinguished speakers such as Nisha Dhawan, Country Director – India, Empower; Namita Bhandare, independent journalist; and Anita, a DTC bus driver trained by Azad. The discussion highlighted the challenges women face in entering and sustaining careers in non-traditional sectors, the importance of creating supportive ecosystems, and the broader societal implications of gender-just skilling.
The event saw the participation of over 110 individuals, including representatives from funding organizations, media, civil society organizations (CSOs), and community leaders, trainees, and drivers from Azad. The gathering not only served as a platform for disseminating the report’s findings but also as an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of women’s work in non-traditional sectors.
