About the Fellowship

This fellowship is exclusively for grassroots leaders in rural India tackling gendered violence. It empowers changemakers with the tools to heal, set boundaries, and create lasting systemic change. Through hands-on mentorship, capacity-building training, and a powerful peer support network, fellows gain the skills and support to amplify their incredible impact.

How It Works

Field Visits & Virtual Workshops

Held every two weeks, offering interactive and immersive learning

1:1 Training in local languages

Personalized support from trauma and leadership specialists between workshops

Engaging Offline Activities & Experiences

Thought-provoking exercises and meaningful peer interactions.

Through our program, Grameen Jyothi Fellows have developed their :

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Capacity

Our cohorts developed strategically and gained increased access to capital and resources

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Confidence

Through trauma-informed coaching, our partners became effective leaders and communicators

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Community

Parity Lab allowed for knowledge and expertise to flow between and within local and global communities

The Fellowship Journey

01

Understanding Trauma

The first two months lay the foundation for understanding how gendered trauma operates in both personal and systemic contexts, preparing fellows to lead with awareness and empathy.

  • Trauma 101 - Understanding how harm is perpetuated within families, communities, and institutions, and the pillars of trauma-informed care
  • Why Leaving Isn’t Simple - Exploring systemic, financial, and cultural barriers to escaping harm
  • Recognizing Trauma Responses - Understanding how the body holds trauma and learning tools for regulation
  • Embodied Healing & Awareness - Integrating movement, breathwork, and mindfulness as tools for emotional processing

02

Trauma-Informed Fundraising & Bold Articulation

This phase shifts from trauma awareness to owning one’s leadership with confidence, particularly in fundraising and strategic communication. The focus is on shifting mindsets about money, funders, and self-worth, while ensuring that grassroots leaders can powerfully articulate their impact.

  • Fundraising as Relationship-Building - Moving beyond transactional models to meaningful engagement with funders, exploring limiting beliefs
  • Reframing Power & Privilege in Fundraising - Understanding how lived experience is an asset in securing resources
  • The Art of Bold Articulation - Learning to unapologetically communicate one’s impact, achievements, and needs
  • Rethinking Visibility - Why grassroots leaders must take up space, own their narratives, and advocate without hesitation

03

Adaptive Leadership & Tying It All Together

The final phase focuses on leading through uncertainty, resisting patriarchal models of power, and embedding trauma-informed approaches into leadership.

  • What is Adaptive Leadership? - Leading effectively in unpredictable and shifting environments
  • Leading Without Replicating Patriarchy - Shifting away from hierarchical, control-driven leadership toward collaboration and care
  •  Integrating Learning into Action - Applying trauma-informed approaches to community leadership, advocacy, and organizing
  • Embedding Somatic Practices into Leadership - Making nervous system regulation a long-term part of leadership and decision-making

Who We’re Looking For

This fellowship is designed for bold women who are:
  • Leading from the front
    Changemakers driving grassroots organizations in rural India
  • Fearless in self-exploration
    Ready to reflect, unlearn, and challenge existing perspectives
  • Committed to shared growth
    Eager to exchange experiences in a safe and dynamic space
  • Part of something bigger
    Passionate about building deep relationships and a strong global movement
  • Guided by integrity
    Applying trauma-informed leadership to transform lives and systems
  • All in for impact
    Ready to dedicate time, energy, and heart to an immersive journey

Ready to transform your leadership journey?

Join a community of grassroots women leaders transforming their healing into high impact for their communities.

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