Youth for Equality

Our youth for Equality initiative was launched in 2014 across 15 villages in Rajasthan and has engaged thousands since. The program is targeted at young men and boys between the ages of 14 to 25 and facilitates small group discussions on issues ranging from child marriage to sexuality. It aims to increase men’s awareness of women’s potential and shed light on damaging gender norms and stereotypes which contribute to widespread equality. They are encouraged to identify forms of structural discrimination, challenge power hierarchies and undergo critical self-reflection, examining their perceptions of gender and identifying the roles they play in perpetuating inequalities. In a number of follow up sessions, the participants are trained and equipped with the necessary knowledge, resources and skills to begin acting as a effective role models, agents of change and ‘changemakers’ within their own communities. Through leadership and education, these young men begin to promote positive changes and reshaping social norms in their families, schools and communities.

Within our youth for equality program, we hold discussions, capacity building-trainings, workshops, exposure trips and camps for boys and young men. Past participants of these program have hosted group as well as one to one discussion in their own community as mentors with their younger counterparts and lead annual campaigns to sensitize others to rights and the potentials of girls and women. Five years since Youth for Equality was initiated, we are actively engaging with over 3000 men and boys in 71 villages.