Growing a Network of Dreamers and Makers
My Health, My Decision: Step Ahead towards Women’s Empowerment in Pakistan
This project addressed the rapid spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) by tackling the deep-seated social taboos and lack of awareness among women in Pakistan. Recognizing that disenfranchised women face higher health risks due to restricted information, the initiative focused on education as a tool for empowerment.
The team developed a culturally sensitive, bilingual (English/Urdu) questionnaire, validated by experts and community pilot trials to assess STI knowledge, symptoms, and mental health. By creating impactful visual media and engaging in strategic community outreach, the team aimed to minimize stigma and encourage preventative healthcare, helping women exercise their fundamental right to health.
Gender and Livestock in India: Toolkit for Evolving Research Strategies
Led by Anthra, this project addresses the historical undervaluing of women’s agroecological knowledge in livestock care. While women perform the majority of daily management in shepherd and pastoral communities, gender often remains a “buzzword” rather than a practice. This initiative bridges that gap by creating a practical toolkit to integrate gender-sensitive methodologies into their field work.
The core team conducted in-depth interviews with 18 experienced practitioners and curated a repository of cross-disciplinary resources. A critical “writeshop” in Bangalore established an 8-part framework for the toolkit, covering positionality, ethics, and field challenges.
The project has already achieved significant policy influence by:
- Providing feedback to government trainers for India’s first-ever pastoral livestock census (2024) to ensure gender-disaggregated data.
- Promoting participatory tools such as mobility mapping and resource-benefit analysis to capture unarticulated community dynamics.
- Establishing an active professional community via WhatsApp and international events to foster long-term collaboration.
Waste and the City – The Mavallipura Landfill Story
Knowledge2Action 