Gender Lab Foundation

The Gender Lab Boys Program (TGLBP) engages school going adolescent boys to explore different aspects of masculinities with them and challenge gender stereotypes at the grass root level. Encouraging the boys to share, express, and care, while creating a trusted and safe space for the same, is a core principle of the engagement. The key objective of the program is to have conversations about the privileges that are associated with being a man through critical thinking and build awareness of the impact of patriarchy on the boys themselves.

How We Raise Our Boys : started as an annual engagement with stakeholders of the adolescents TGL works with through The Gender Lab Boys Program. This included their parents, the school staff - teachers, principals - and others from the community who hold an influence in the upbringing of the children. Now, HWROB is a multilingual program that is organized for educators and teachers working with children. The program has so far been organized in 10 languages including English with the intent to create gender inclusive classrooms. The program works towards:
01. Building awareness and knowledge on masculinities and gender with educators.
02. Curating regional conversations and building resources for educators to aid in building gender- inclusive classrooms.
03. Building a community of educators across India who are curious to work on gender sensitivity to act as a support system for each other and as a
knowledge-sharing community.

AYWLP is a program designed for 13-14 year old girls with a focus on leadership, self-awareness, and challenging gender stereotypes. The program is delivered over 20-25 hours in schools in Mumbai and Jind by TGL fellows. AYWLP is based on a service-learning model which combines classroom instruction with community action projects. This approach allows the girls to apply what they learn in real-world settings, enabling them to develop important skills that will be valuable throughout their lives.
AYWLP is a collaborative effort between The Gender Lab & Avanshali Foundation. Avanshali Foundation was established in memory of Avanti Desai, daughter of Ashank & Padma Desai. This program is a testament to the power of partnerships and shared commitment towards making a positive impact on the lives of young girls. AYWLP alumni become Avanti Community Leaders upon completing the AYWLP journey. Small groups of alumni are engaged through events, opportunities and workshops so they can continue their learning and leadership journey.

The Gender Lab Fellowship is a 10-month program for those who identify as women, aged 20-25, who are passionate about working with adolescent girls. The fellowship is hosted in Mumbai and Jind (Haryana). It aims to develop leadership skills, self- awareness, and sisterhood through a multi-layered 'service learning' model. Women from all over India can apply for the Mumbai fellowship and work with urban girls, while the Jind fellowship is for local women to work with girls in rural villages and create a community of women leaders. The fellows work towards empowering adolescent girls to be more confident, socially aware, better communicators, while fostering sisterhood.