A blog promoting 'participation as empowerment' with the perspective of making democracy work for all, every day - within families, communities, institutions, and political systems
With 820M+ internet users in India, digital access is growing—but women still lag. In collaboration with Aapti Institute, PRIA's research explores how patriarchy shapes women’s trust in digital platforms. Young girls are challenging norms, demanding access, and redefining agency in the digital world. The pandemic forced a shift, but online harassment remains a barrier. It’s time to ensure safe, inclusive digital spaces for all. Let’s build trust, equity, and access for a truly connected future.
Infrastructure audits that are carried out without the involvement of citizens often lead to ineffective outcomes and wastage of resources. This is the situation in Vytilla, one of the pilot neighbourhoods under PRIA's MobiliseHER project in Kochi, where a lack of citizen participation has caused frustration among both residents and commuters in the area.
Urban mobility is more than just a functional necessity—it is a matter of equity, determining access to education, employment, healthcare, and community life.
Ajmer, a city steeped in history, faces persistent challenges in water management within its informal settlements.
While urbanisation is reshaping the entire world, South India is no exception. Cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kochi are at the forefront of India's rapid urban expansion, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic growth and the surge in urban population.
Urban mobility systems are the backbone of cities, shaping how people access work, education, healthcare, and leisure. Yet, these systems often fail to meet the needs of a significant portion of the population—women and gender-diverse groups.
In the scorching heat of Ajmer and Delhi, a silent crisis looms over the informal settlements scattered across these cities.
As I walked through the bustling streets of the informal settlements in Ajmer, Rajasthan, notebook in hand and curiosity piqued, I felt a mix of excitement and concern.
PRIA’s MobiliseHER team traveled to Bangalore during the week of June, 10 – 14, 2024. The aim of the visit was to gain relevant insights into the civil society ecosystem in Bangalore and meet different organisations to understand the city through a lens of gender and inclusive mobility.
Working at PRIA, often leads us to various cities across the country. Each trip is an opportunity to witness firsthand the challenges and triumphs of different communities.
Mr. Yedukrishnan V has recently joined PRIA after gaining valuable experience in the development sector. Drawing from his journey in the social sector and personal encounters in Kerala, he emphasises the importance of participatory governance and research in empowering marginalised communities.'
Ms. Meghna Sandhir, along with our team members, has been engaged in the Drivers, Limiters, and Barriers to Women's Trust in Digital Platforms Project since last year. She is blogging about her firsthand experiences from visiting our project sites in India.
Ms. Aashini Goyal, along with our team, has been working on the Drivers, Limiters, and Barriers to Women's Trust in Digital Platforms Project for the past two months. This blog recounts her firsthand experiences from visiting our project site in India.
Ms. Meghna Sandhir, our programme officer, along with colleagues from Martha Farrell Foundation and Pro Sport Development, participated in the Trainers of Training (ToT) program conducted at Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra - SSK Lucknow. The training took place from December 4th to December 10th, 2023.
Our Program Officer, Ms. Shruti Priya, attended the Youth Solidarity and Leadership Training held in Bangkok, Thailand organised by the Asia Democratic Network in partnership with Forum Asia. The training was followed by a two-day Asia Democracy Assembly "Fostering Democracy Movements: Building Strategic Partnerships and Sustainable Cooperation in Asia".
