Akshara
Fellowship
It is often said that the future belongs to youth, then they
should have the opportunity to shape it.
Young people who are deeply disturbed by the social and economic inequalities and injustices in society would like to intervene in some small or big manner. They would like to bring about change in society and enable people to exercise their constitutional rights. However, they have little information on what is possible to do and how to do it. What change would they like to see? What methodology can they use? How will they know that they have made a difference?
The Akshara Fellowship Program views young people from marginalized backgrounds as resources within their own communities, with local knowledge and cultural and social ties. They are best placed to introduce new ideas and actions to bring about equality, harmony and camaraderie. Fellows are encouraged to interact closely with their community members, engage in dialogues to understand the existing gender roles and dynamics. They are catalysts for change and Akshara empowers them, so that they in turn can empower women and girls.
Fellows explore how transforming gender relations and dismantling gender stereotypes can help strengthen the bonds between family and community members so that people can equally contribute to and thrive within the community.
The 6 month long immersive program has a two-pronged approach or a change at the individual level and capacity building for social interventions.
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The Program organises leadership workshops to enhance soft skills, including communication, teamwork, project management, and critical thinking
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It provides an opportunity for a hands-on experience to gain practical exposure and initiate activities
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Fellows receive individual and group mentorship to design and implement their community programs
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They learn to document their processes and insights to enable them to enhance their interventions.