The Parvaz Feminist Leadership Program is an initiative by ITC Vivel and the Azad Foundation which was initiated in 2016, with the aim to train women as community leaders and drive sustainable change at the community level. The objective is to create young women leaders who through their transformative leadership are champions of change in their communities at the grassroot level, helping women in their communities to gain access to income, available resources, and ensure women’s rights in all spheres of their lives.
By 2024, the Feminist Leadership Program has successfully empowered 532+ women by enrolling them in non-traditional livelihood training, and enabled 19,674 women to avail citizenship rights through citizenship documents and social security schemes. This video features snippets from the stories of a few of these change makers.
This video tells the powerful stories of Pratibha, Deepa, and Saraswati, three women who have successfully ventured into non-traditional skill education and livelihoods, breaking barriers in male-dominated fields. Pratibha, after joining Azad Foundation’s Kishori program, developed leadership skills that enabled her to pursue a diploma in Dialysis Technology, aiding her aim to become a doctor. Deepa, once too afraid to go out alone, transformed her life by becoming a delivery partner, gaining independence and self-confidence. Saraswati also became self-sufficient by learning to ride a two-wheeler and working as a delivery partner, which allowed her to invest in assets for her family with her earnings. These women, through their determination and newly acquired technology-based skills, have not only secured stable incomes but also dignified lives in fields traditionally dominated by men.
The Parvaz Feminist Leadership Program by Azad Foundation has been instrumental in empowering women from resource-poor communities, enabling them to become agents of change within their societies. Over the past year, the 4th batch of feminist leaders in Kolkata has embarked on a transformative journey, deeply engaging with their communities to challenge gender norms, promote women’s rights, and create sustainable change. These women, through intensive training and hands-on community work, have demonstrated remarkable dedication to fostering a gender-just ecosystem.
Through a series of residential workshops, these leaders have gained a profound understanding of topics such as gender and patriarchy, non-traditional livelihoods, and governance. They have also honed practical skills like communication, self-defense, and community mobilization. Their interphase work saw them actively engaging with their communities, identifying critical issues, and working tirelessly to address them. These efforts have resulted in significant milestones, such as organizing health and citizenship documentation camps, improving local infrastructure, and linking women to vital social security schemes.
The impact of their work is evident in the lives they have touched. This batch of feminist leaders has supported thousands of women and community members, helping them secure citizenship documents, access social welfare schemes, and combat gender-based violence. They have also played a crucial role in encouraging women to break barriers and pursue the non-traditional livelihood of driving, which is a significant step toward economic independence and empowerment.
The achievements of these feminist leaders are a testament to the power of collective action and the potential of women when given the tools and opportunities to lead. As they continue to drive change in their communities, they embody the spirit of the Parvaz program—giving flight to their ambitions and creating a more equitable and just society for all.
“Azad Foundation is an NGO from India that’s taking gender equality into higher gear — by putting women in the driver’s seat, literally. Based in Delhi, it trains women from low-income backgrounds to gain skills in “non-traditional” livelihoods, to dispel stereotypes about what jobs are “suitable” for women, and to help the women gain financial independence and take charge of their own lives.”
The discussions bring forth learnings from India onto a global platform and elaborate how non-traditional livelihoods progress the agenda of gender equity to realise SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), by operationalising the vision of SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) to make it happen.
The side event began with a keynote address by Mikiko Tanaka, Head of the UNESCAP Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia, who highlighted the urgent need to integrate women into climate-resilient skill education and green jobs. She emphasized the interconnectedness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty reduction (SDG 1), gender equality (SDG 5), and climate action (SDG 13), underscoring the importance of partnerships (SDG 17) in achieving these objectives.
Anita Borkar, Regional Training Coordinator at the Asia Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE) presented their work on promoting equity and gender equality in education and skill-building across the region. Anita shared insights on how ASPBAE’s programs have expanded access to quality education and decent work for marginalized women, addressing the barriers that prevent their participation in the green economy.
Dolon Ganguly, Chief Functionary of Azad Foundation highlighted Azad and Sakha’s work on successfully training and placing women in the electric transport industry. These programs have not only empowered women by providing them with sustainable livelihoods but also contributed to reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability.
Fitria Villa Sahara, Co-Director of PEKKA, shared her organization’s experiences in empowering women household heads in Indonesia. She discussed how PEKKA’s initiatives have enabled women to contribute to a gender-just society by participating in climate-resilient economic activities.
The event concluded with a dynamic panel discussion where participants shared best practices and case studies, highlighting successful interventions in the region. The session ended with actionable recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to further support the inclusion of marginalized women in skill education and the green economy, ensuring their economic, social, and psychological well-being while promoting environmental sustainability.
Set in Delhi, India, this short film highlights the impact of Azad Foundation’s “Women on Wheels” program. With financial support from American Jewish World Service, Azad is able to train low-income women with limited education to become taxi drivers, helping them break into a profitable, traditionally all-male profession.
Videographer: Jonathan Torgovnik. Editor: Andrew Hida. Producer: Elizabeth Daube.
The Feminist Leadership Program, rooted in the belief that true gender equality can only be achieved through empowering women at the grassroots level, has been instrumental in fostering a new generation of leaders committed to social change. Each batch has undergone rigorous training, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to challenge patriarchal norms and promote for the rights of women in their communities. These leaders have not only expanded their own horizons but have also become catalysts for change, working tirelessly to create a more just and equitable society.
The video reflects on the efforts of feminist leaders that have led to tangible improvements in the lives of countless women, enabling them to exercise their rights, secure dignified livelihoods, and gain recognition as equal citizens. As Azad Foundation Jaipur looks back on the achievements of these three batches, it celebrates not only the progress made but also the enduring legacy of empowerment and resilience that these feminist leaders represent.
The event aimed to explore how technology and digital solutions can transform gender dynamics and support women in accessing technology-based education and employment. Key objectives included discussing the impact of equitable caregiving on shifting household gender dynamics, identifying strategies to reduce structural inequalities that hinder boys’ and men’s roles as allies, and providing recommendations for integrating technology to foster gender-equal households.
The panel featured prominent speakers including Shrinivas Rao, National Lead at Azad Foundation, and experts such as Clara Alemann, Director of Programs at Equimundo, Dr. Taveeshi Gupta, Director of Research at Equimundo, and Laxman Belbase, Co-Director at MenEngage Alliance. Additional insights were provided by Rachel Lehrer, Design Leader and Independent Freelancer, Satish Kumar Singh, Senior Advisor at the Centre for Health and Social Justice, and Sohini Bhattacharya, CEO of Breakthrough India. The discussions highlighted practical strategies and recommendations for leveraging technology to engage men and boys as supportive allies in achieving gender equality, emphasizing the importance of equitable caregiving and inclusive digital platforms.
For even the most basic of human biological functions, women do not have safe and clean washrooms to use in public areas (markets, streets, schools, etc). While causing discomfort, it also affects their confidence to access public spaces. As a result, they are not able to access jobs which require them to be out of the house, or in the case of girls, access higher education. Girls are made to stay home as soon as they start menstruating because there are no washrooms in schools, or if there are – they are broken, locked, dirty or/and unsafe.
In order for women to be able to access livelihoods with dignity, an entire supportive ecosystem needs to be created for them to access public spaces. Washroom access has turned into a series of problems for girls and women, especially those who are resource-poor. We say NO! Why should women suffer or made to feel ashamed about this? We are demanding basic human dignity! We need WASHROOMS!
At Azad Foundation, we are dedicated to empowering marginalized women and girls by providing them with the tools, skills, and opportunities they need to transform their lives and their communities. Our work focuses on creating pathways to economic independence, social justice, and leadership for women who face significant barriers due to gender and socio-economic factors.
Since our inception, Azad Foundation has made significant strides in improving the lives of thousands of women across India through non-traditional skill education and livelihoods. Our programs have not only helped women gain economic independence but also fostered a sense of agency and confidence that drives them to become change-makers in their own right.
This video presents a highlight of our journey so far.
From overcoming initial challenges to becoming professional delivery executives, this video captures the transformative journey of young women trained as two-wheeler riders in Kolkata. By showcasing their hands-on training experience and current roles, the film illustrates how the support from TALASH, Thoughshop Foundation, and DAS has enabled these women to gain financial independence and break new ground in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Each story sheds light on the courage and determination required to excel in these male-dominated industries, showcasing how these women have not only transformed their own lives but also paved the way for greater gender equality. The video serves as a powerful testament to their resilience and the broader impact of embracing non-traditional livelihoods for women.
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, the Azad-Sakha teams swiftly mobilized to provide essential relief to those affected. The video captures our efforts in distributing emergency supplies, ensuring the safety and well-being of the communities we serve. It also illustrates our adaptability in integrating new hygiene protocols to safeguard health amidst the crisis. Furthermore, the video highlights the strategic shift towards e-commerce, showcasing how Azad-Sakha expanded their operations to offer new economic opportunities for women. This adaptation not only helped in sustaining livelihoods but also in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic, demonstrating the teams’ resilience and commitment to supporting marginalized communities.
This video highlights the struggles and triumphs of resource-poor women who, through Azad Foundation, have empowered themselves with the skills and confidence to break into a male-dominated profession. By taking on these roles, these women not only uplift their own lives but also contribute to broader societal changes, aligning with the goals of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The video serves as an inspiring testament to their courage and the transformative impact of creating opportunities in non-traditional livelihoods.
In this video, we explore common notions about what it means to be a man. We delve into how traditional notions of masculinity contribute to violence and inequality and how embracing new, respectful models of masculinity can lead to positive change.
Through the #BeASakha campaign, we invite you to reflect on and discuss what it means to be a supportive and just ally.
Azad’s Men for Gender Justice (MGJ) Programme involves engaging men and boys in discussions and activities to promote gender equality, challenge harmful stereotypes around patriarchy and masculinity, and address issues related to gender-based violence, discrimination and sharing of unpaid care work. It involves men as allies in the fight for gender justice and empowers them to be active participants in promoting women’s rights and gender equality.
After attending a Residential Training on Gender, Patriarchy and Masculinities in 2017 at Jagori Grameen, Himachal Pradesh, here’s what a few of the young men had to say about issues like gender, patriarchal society, and hegemonic masculinity.
In this video, we spotlight the remarkable women trained by Azad Foundation who are breaking barriers and redefining gender roles as professional drivers. Hear firsthand from these inspiring women about what they cherish most about their careers on the road and how their lives have transformed through this opportunity.
Discover how Azad Foundation’s innovative approach is not just creating jobs, but also addressing gender injustice by empowering women from resource-poor backgrounds.
