I have pioneered efforts in India towards building a movement that explores the role of men as 'partners' and 'stakeholderrs' addressing gender issues (including gender-based violence against women) through innovative strategy that includes cultural advocacy, direct intervention and youth education.
Any issue of man-woman relationship is dearer to me. I strongly believe in the inspiring slogan 'Personal is Political' learnt from my feminist friends and not surprising, its my personal experiences on Man-Woman Relationships, the influence of powerful women in my life that has been shaping my vision and dreams..
Often, in pursuit of my goal, I feel strongly connected with and guided by Mahatma Gandhi's saying 'Hesitating to act because the whole vision might not be achieved, or because others do not yet share it, is an attitude that only hinders progress.'
Through my efforts towards stopping and preventing gender-based violence against women, I aspire for a gender-just society -– where men and women live in harmony, with dignity and self-respect, by providing spaces for mutual growth and well-being.
After completing my Masters in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in 1989, I have worked with many voluntary organizations (like Child Rights and You - CRY and Blind Men's Association), women's groups and corporates (like GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals) on issues of gender-justice and social development for over 21 years. I am a founder-member and Chief Functionary of MAVA - Men Against Violence and Abuse (MAVA), Mumbai. I have promoted and implemented innovative ideas on gender and sexuality matters and currently upscaling the innovation in India.
I have insightful experience in project / program management activities entailing feasibility study, project planning, appraisal, evaluation and monitoring. I am an effective communicator with exceptional relationship management skills including hands-on experience in leading and mentoring teams, networking with project partners, media and other stakeholders.
In my over 2 decades of intensive experience with multi-sector development programs in Maharashtra state, especially on issues of gender and health, I have engaged professionals from the academic, NGO and corporate worlds while addressing developmental issues over the years.
I have piloted Collaborative Programs with educationists, government and NGOs advocating various educational and health-care efforts e.g. Sexuality Education for school students, Gender-Sensitization Curriculum.
I have co-authored a Book called ‘Breaking the Moulds’ brought in July 2007 – first of its kind in India, containing expressions by men on a wide range of gender, masculinity and sexuality matters.
I am a founder-member & Trustee of Samvedan, a voluntary organization working on prevention, counselling, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS in Mumbai and other 5 districts, since 1999.
I am a Visiting Faculty at College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, T.I.S.S., Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies - NMIMS and S.N.D.T. University conducting sessions on Developmental Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Marketing and Management of Voluntary Organizations.
I was invited, as a part of the prestigious 'Health and Population Innovation' Fellowship received from Population Council, to visit Australia during May - June 2007 to closely interface with developmental practitioners and scholars working on Gender, Masculinities and Violence Against Women.
I have written articles for leading newspapers and magazines, participated as a panelist at National and International Conferences (by UNIFEM, UNFPA and others), and on TV & radio programs voicing concerns on gender issues.
I was specially invited by the U.S. Government to visit 4 cities of U.S. from Jan 7 - 27, 2012 to study notable work done on 'Gender Issues in the U.S'.
