“Education is the key to resolving the problems that hinder our well-being” – Sakkubai 13-year-old Sakkubai belongs to a family of migrant workers, without a permanent home and no fixed income. She had come to accept Gamangatti village to be her home. But a year ago, she had to move in with her grandmother because […]
The Importance of Education Read More »
The following is an opinion piece by Swarachna School leadership team member: Akshay Shetty. In this blog post, Akshay introduces us to one of the inspirational teachers who makes the school a brighter place and embodies all the qualities of a Girl Icon. For the past few months, I have been living in a part
Teachers of Swarachna: Kanchan Read More »
A rising star, Rajkumari has emerged as a leader to educate, persuade and inspire her community to act against the lack of education for girls and see their inherent worth. Rajkumari knows that a good peer educator understands and respects others and encourages girls to make choices with a positive impact. Hailing from the remote
Change the World Like a Girl! Read More »
“I no longer feel the void of not having a family to support me. People in my community now look up to me and discuss their problems with me, hoping I could help them. Having the ability and knowledge to help them make me happy. Yes, not having my parents by my side was hard
Joining Forces for the Greater Good Read More »
14-year-old Simpi studies in 9th grade. Belonging to a rural village in Barabanki district, Uttar Pradesh, she resides in a small house with her family, including her father, a farmer, her mother, a house maker and her three siblings. Simpi considers her father to be the catalyst that motivated her to join Milaan’s Girl Icon
A Beacon of Change Read More »
‘My life, Mere Faisle’ is an intervention designed and implemented by Pravah and its partners since 2015. This intervention looks at the issue of Early and Child Marriage through the psycho-social approach, enabling young people to take charge of one’s lives and decisions. Raju (name changed), 16 years old, Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh A participant
My Life, Mere Faisle: Raju Read More »
“I was hesitant to talk to elders in my village as I was insecure about my experiences and societal status. Girl Icon Program gave me the confidence to put forth my opinion with confidence.”- Varsha Soni A 20-year-old Girl Icon, Varsha hails from the village of Raahat in the district of Harda in Madhya Pradesh.
Breaking the Silence Around Menstruation Read More »
‘My life, Mere Faisle’ is an intervention designed and implemented by Pravah and its partners since 2015. This intervention looks at the issue of Early and Child Marriage through the psycho-social approach, enabling young people to take charge of one’s lives and decisions. Monika (name changed), 17 years old, Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh Monika is
My Life, Mere Faisle: Monika Read More »
Soumya, a 14-year-old Girl Icon, lives and studies in Kalghattagi, Dharwad, which is a remote village in Karnataka. She belongs to a community where taboos around menstruation are profound. A vast majority of 12 to 15-year-old girls are enrolled in primary school, but once they reach puberty, something distressing happens. The majority of girls drop
It’s Normal. Period. Read More »
Girl Icon Anju hails from Jamasindh village in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. Both her parents work as farmers on other’s lands. Earnings in the family also come from rearing and selling goats during festivals, especially festivals like Diwali. The cost per goat goes up to INR 4,000 – 6,000, depending on their weight. Anju belongs to
Take the First Step: Story of an Aspiring IPS Officer Read More »
Brianne Bustos is a seasoned IT executive with over two decades of experience driving enterprise technology transformations, cybersecurity initiatives, and strategic IT planning. She has a strong track record of leading high-impact projects within private equity-backed firms, professional services, and infrastructure-heavy industries, aligning technology investments with business growth. Passionate about innovation, cybersecurity governance, and AI-driven solutions, Brianne excels in building resilient digital ecosystems that enhance operational efficiency and scalability.
Beyond her professional expertise, Brianne is an advocate for outdoor adventure and community-building. She founded an Outdoor Adventure Group for women, fostering empowerment, connection, and exploration in nature through activities like skiing, mountain biking, and backcountry excursions.
"I deeply believe in the power of education and community in challenging gender stereotypes and providing autonomy. Milaan's grassroots efforts to empower young women are inspiring and impactful. It is a privilege to be part of the team. "
Bela is a seasoned leader serving as the Chief Client Relationship Officer at Goodwin, a global law firm that advises the innovators and investors operating in some of the world’s most transformative areas. Prior to that, Prior to joining Goodwin, she spent 25 years at Deloitte working alongside diverse group of senior stakeholders to solve their most complex business challenges, including go-to-market transformations, operational excellence, as well as large-scale change. She also served as an advisor to Vidya Grants, a non-profit organization focused on education ecosystem in India.
