ABOUT US
TORCHBEARERS’ Foundation
“Having worked in the mental healthcare sector, I have seen first hand the kind of trauma sexual and gender based violence can cause. My work with survivors of abuse and violence has made me question why our social fabric is the way it is and what can be done to change it. The constant news of rape and violence became difficult to bear witness to and the knee-jerk reactions by our leaders and society at large was also difficult to watch.
My anger and frustration was watered down by my lack of confidence in my own ability to cause change and kept me waiting on the sidelines, waiting for things to change.
After years of witnessing the status quo, I decided I had had enough of waiting and that I would attempt to do something about the prevalent situation. However big or small an impact I may have, it was important to attempt to bring my vision of what was possible into reality. When my co-founder Saaniya Mehra floated the idea of wanting to set up a not for profit with me, it seemed like the perfect fit and Torchbearers Foundation was born.” - Rishi Talwar
OUR AIM
To catalyze necessary changes in the Indian Public Health and Criminal Justice System
through policy changes, ground action, and education & awareness to battle Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in India. Our approach in achieving this is from both Preventive and Responsive lens which focuses on education, implementation of guidelines issued by the Central government of India and other bodies, training of stakeholders, and improving DNA collection processes in cases of sexual assault.
OUR MISSION
To improve the overall level of response and support given to survivors of SGBV in India as well as to spread awareness about appropriately addressing and preventing SGBV in India
CORE ACTIONS
PREVENTION WING
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To work on the prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) using education as a core tool.
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Implementation of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) across all educational institutes in India to spread awareness and promote equity.
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Catalyze policy change to promote the above
RESPONSE WING
To increase the delivery of justice in cases of sexual assault using DNA evidence as a core tool.
Implement the use of DNA evidence collection kits & Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of the forensic medico-legal evidence collection procedures used to collect DNA samples from survivors of sexual assault in order to yield an increased number of viable evidence and in turn, increase conviction rates in India.
Catalyze policy change to promote the above.
MEET THE TEAM
SAANIYA MEHRA
Founder, Managing Director
Saaniya is an entrepreneur with over 4 years of work experience in the private and public healthcare sectors of India, and is experienced with navigating public health policy. Determined to improve access to healthcare services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the country, she has worked with multiple stakeholders in the public health sector to design India's first Ministry of Home Affairs approved Sexual Assault Evidence Collection kit (SAECK).
RISHI TALWAR
Founder, Managing Director
Rishi is a psychologist by training. He has a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Pune. He is passionate about working with trauma and creating a trauma informed world. He loves nature and animals, finding them to be a source of respite in an often trying world.
NETI RANJAN
Consultant
Neti Ranjan is a psychologist by training. She has a masters in counseling psychology from Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Adult, Couples and Family Counseling. Previously worked in the field of child sexual abuse and child protection, she believes that comprehensive sexuality education for all is important to break stigma, address the implicit violence in our society and help in working towards a tolerant, compassionate world.
PANKTI GOHEL
Consultant
Pankti is a trained Counselling Psychologist, holding a Masters degree in Applied Psychology from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. Her work with diverse individuals and communities involved creating awareness about mental health, sexual harassment & child sexual abuse. She hopes to empower all with the necessary information, tools and awareness to make well informed, conscious choices regarding personal health and goals.