In the world of social initiatives, few are as committed to bringing about lasting change as Vanshika Kalsi, Co-founder of Kalsi Initiatives. With her passion for empowering the next generation, she was instrumental in founding the Empowering Young Minds initiative, a program that educates and inspires young people on important issues such as gender equality, human rights and comprehensive sexuality education. Through workshops and customized educational programs, Vanshika and her team have reached over 1,000 students and brought about an attitude shift towards gender norms and promoted greater awareness of rights and responsibilities among young people.
In this interview, Vanshika delves into the challenges and successes of leading such a transformative initiative. She shares insights into navigating cultural taboos, the complexities of scaling up programs like the POCSO Act sessions beyond Agra, and the importance of creating an engaging, student-centered learning environment. She also discusses feedback from students, parents, and educators, highlighting how it drives Kalsi Initiatives to continuously refine and expand its impact.
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Q: Can you please tell us the goals and impact of the Empowering Young Minds initiative?
A. The Empowering Young Minds initiative aims to educate and inspire young people on critical issues such as gender equality, human rights and comprehensive sexuality education. Our goal is to create a generation that is not only aware of social justice but also actively advocates for it. The impact has been profound: our workshops reached over 1,000 students from different backgrounds. We have seen tangible changes in attitudes towards gender norms and increased awareness of rights and responsibilities among young people. This initiative is about sowing the seeds of change that will lead to a fairer and more informed society.
Q: What particular challenges do you face when educating young people about such sensitive topics?
A. Educating young people about sensitive topics like gender and sexual rights comes with its own set of challenges. Cultural taboos, misconceptions and resistance can hinder open discussions. In addition, different levels of maturity and understanding among students require a tailored approach to ensure that information is accessible and respectful to all. To overcome these challenges, we need to create a safe and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable and can engage in dialogue. We also engage educators early to build a supportive community around these topics.
Q: What challenges did you face in expanding the POCSO Act sessions beyond Agra?
A. Expanding sessions on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act beyond Agra presented logistical and cultural challenges. Each new region had different socio-cultural dynamics and levels of awareness about the Act. There were also administrative hurdles. To overcome these, we conducted thorough community analysis and engaged local leaders and advocates to tailor our sessions to the specific needs and sensitivities of each area. Our persistence paid off as we were able to successfully expand our reach and impact and raise awareness and understanding of child protection laws in new regions.
Q: How do you design your educational programs to ensure they are both informative and exciting for students?
A. Our educational programs are designed to be student-centered to ensure they are both informative and engaging. We incorporate interactive methods such as workshops and group discussions that encourage active participation. Our curriculum is continually updated based on feedback and emerging topics to remain relevant and impactful. We also use multimedia tools and informed professionals and advocates to share real-world case studies and make sessions relatable and interesting. By fostering an interactive learning environment, we aim to make complex and sensitive topics accessible and engaging for all students.
Q: What kind of feedback have you received from students, parents and educators about your programs?
A. Feedback from students, parents and educators has been consistently positive. Students have expressed that the programs have opened their eyes to important issues and empowered them to take action in their communities. Parents have appreciated the open and respectful approach to sensitive topics and have noticed positive changes in their children’s attitudes and behaviors. Educators have praised the comprehensive and well-structured curriculum and highlighted its effectiveness in promoting critical thinking and awareness. This feedback motivates us to continue to refine and expand our initiatives.
Q. How do you measure the success of your workshops and initiatives?
A. We measure the success of our workshops and initiatives through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Pre- and post-workshop surveys help us measure changes in knowledge and attitudes. We also track participation rates and engagement during sessions. Qualitative feedback from students, parents, and educators provides insight into the real impact of our programs. In addition, we monitor long-term outcomes such as increased advocacy and community engagement among participants. This comprehensive approach ensures that we can accurately evaluate and continuously improve our impact.
Q: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced along your journey with Kalsi Initiatives?
A. Navigating the diverse regulatory environments and cultural contexts of different regions has been a challenge. It has also been challenging to ensure that our programs remain relevant and impactful in the face of rapidly changing social dynamics. Despite these hurdles, we remain resilient thanks to our passion and unwavering commitment to positive change. We have become more adaptable, resourceful and collaborative, leveraging strategic partnerships and strong community support to overcome obstacles and continue our mission.
Q. What are your future plans for Kalsi Initiatives in terms of geographic expansion and program development? Are there any new projects or expansions planned?
A. Our future plans for Kalsi Initiatives include both geographical expansion and the development of new programs. We want to expand our reach to more regions in India and potentially other countries in South Asia. We are also developing new projects with a focus on digital literacy and mental health as we recognize their growing importance. One exciting initiative in the pipeline is a mentorship program that will connect young people with leaders in different fields to inspire and guide them. Our vision is to continue to develop and expand our impact, promoting a fairer and more equal society around the world.
