How can we advance gender equality through awareness campaigns?
Interaction with NGO children from NeoFusion Creative Foundation, India
I interviewed independent researcher and social activist Ms. Swati Vohra, to understand how her experience working as Lead Project Manager at NeoFusion Creative Foundation in India has shaped her perspective and actions for social and gender justice. She discusses some of her self-reflections, motivations, and what advice she can give to youths today.
Hello Swati! Pleasure to have you and thank you for accepting this week’s interview! To start, could you share with our readers a little bit about who you are, and the kind of work you do now?
Thank you very much Phoebe for this opportunity! I am excited and happy to connect with you today.
Growing up as a girl in my country, India (New-Delhi) came with numerous challenges with safety concerns, sexual harassment and gender stereotypes topping the list. I was good in Maths and Science which made an obvious career choice of IT Engineering inspite of my disconnection to it. This was a result of proving to others that I was capable of becoming an Engineer. After having worked with one of the leading MNC’s for nearly 8 years, I took break and also moved out of India with my husband. Living in Latin America, Panama City, a Spanish speaking country, I taught English to Panamanian school students. It was in Panama, that I witnessed xenophobia, discrimination and hate crime against Venezuelans. My personal experiences as an Indian woman and witnessing human rights violation in my own country and that in Panama, led me to pursue master’s in International Peace Studies at Soka University, Tokyo. This caused a new learning lap for me.
My present work focusses on highlighting overt and covert discrimination/biases, deconstructing oppressive social norms, advocacy for gender equality, inclusivity and diversity through research and grassroot activities based on humanistic principles.
With rising issues of rapes, sexual abuse, mental health, self-destructive ideologies, especially amongst the adolescents and youth called for an urgent call to action. The Indian National Education Policy (NEP) in 2020 restructured educational policies after three decades and yet failed to include Sex/Sexuality Education that is needed in our country more than ever.
I along with the founder of NeoFusion Creative Foundation, an NGO based in Gurgaon, India co-founded a project called ‘Samvaad’ (meaning dialogue) that started during the pandemic. The project is operational remotely and had its pilot launch in June 2021 which was well received by approximately 50 underprivileged adolescents of the NGO who despite their struggling conditions, created ways to arrange internet/devices for attending these sessions. The NGO also supported many in making these arrangements for an uninterrupted learning experience for the children. We plan to expand this initiative to other NGO’s across different cities and schools.
Samvaad’s comprehensive sexuality education project is aimed at creating a safe space for adolescents and youth to not only raise awareness but empower them to further impact their communities. It is a place where they can express themselves freely, learn to protect themselves and engage in conversation/questions on issues that matter to them – social construction of gender, gender on spectrum, relationships, puberty, self-image.
What inspired you to pursue this career path?
As you can see, my path hasn’t been linear, and each step led to an outcome I hadn’t thought before. But studying at Soka University and in particular, the encounter and learning from Prof Maria Guajardo has been transformational. I am ever grateful to have crossed paths with her and the opportunity to learn from her revolutionary classes that helped me discover so much about myself. It is through her classes; I have come to understand and appreciate love for community. This is just one of the many jewels I gained.
What are your learnings from your experiences in social & gender justice work?
Having transparency, shared vision and intention of people working together is critical in accomplishing our common purpose.
Another insight was that one doesn’t need to know everything at the onset. My mind always wanted all the answers before and I would want to acquire skills, and knowledge before taking up any task. That would invariably delay and in some cases miss on the opportunity to dive in. However, I am now allowing myself to plunge with courage to deal with uncertainty because life doesn’t happen with preparations and checklists!
Are there any personality traits or habits you think every leader ought to have?
1. Mindfulness comprising of:
Purposeful Intention for striving for the welfare of people irrespective and thereby society.
Attention to see and lifting those people and communities who need it the most- who are oppressed, relegated, vulnerable, and marginalized.
Attitude with strong value compass to serve
2. Empathy
3. Accountability
Whose career inspires you, and why? Who do you admire?
Well, since childhood, I remember wondering on the process of career, how and why people chose the paths they did? In short, it is people who inspire me, as opposed to careers. What’s truly inspiring are the countless untold stories of struggles and resilience that are behind in making the choices people make in their journey. I am inspired every time I encounter or see youth using their voices and channelizing their passion for greater good of society.
Speaking of inspiration reminds me of an Indian artist while sharing her work and source of inspiration said - I don’t wait for inspiration to come to me, I just keep doing my work every single day! Isn’t that simple yet powerful? In that sense, inspiration for me is emerging as a daily practice of a forward momentum.
What are some of the major challenges you face in your work? And what keeps you motivated to solve them instead of quitting?
One of the major challenges is retaining the complexities of the systems and knowledge acquired and translate yet simply to those who do not have the privilege or access to language, resources of such a learning milieu. The other challenge is organizing funds for the organizations to sustain especially during the times we are in.
What keeps me going is the impact of change children experience when they are able to comprehend their surroundings, deconstruct social normalization and begin to feel a sense of agency.
If you were to start all over again, would you have done anything differently?
Wow! That’s a tough one Phoebe! It would be to have courage and conviction to Say YES to my abilities even when I could see none!
If you weren’t working as an Activist, what other things would you be doing?
My understanding of activism has expanded. I couldn’t have imagined to be one a few years ago. However, today, I feel that it is a way of my being, my spirit and aligned to my sense of Justice. With that said, we can find numerous ways to demonstrate this spirit of activism – in our writings, research, and several other ways. I am privileged to be in a position of doing both - research as well as grassroot.
What advice do you have for youths who also aspires to be a social activist and to contribute towards the path of peace-building?
As I say this, I am also telling myself and it is not limited to only social justice or peace-building work.
Firstly – Not to let the clamour outside silence your inner voice. There are voices all around us that have exponentially increased especially with the access to internet, social media and the influx of information and it is easy to feel lost in it. However, it is crucial to have people we trust, a guiding philosophy that helps us to pay attention to knowing who we are and listen to our inner voice.
Secondly – Patience & Consistency. Both of these words are often underrated; however, they can be likened to be the wheels of a two-wheeler motorbike and passion as the fuel. Without any missing, we will not be able to ride the bike. The work for peace and change demands consistency and is often unglamorous. If our intention and purpose are diluted seeking only for validations and accolades, we will be disillusioned.
Thirdly – Dig deeper. Knowing self and one’s privileges and power are crucial in using them for bringing the change we want to see. This is tough work, and I continue to challenge myself in it; however, I understand the importance of doing this inner work and its direct implication on how we show up and contribute.
Finally – Be cautious from falling into survival/competition mode trap, a narrative presented to us at a young age of living in a dog-eat-dog world and each one to fend for oneself. Rather rise and choose to form genuine allies, kindred spirit and community.
What’s next for Swati?
It is to surprise myself…In a good way Of Course!! (Laugh)
These days I my motto is captured in these words – Forward, Forward and Ever Forward!