Kiran advocates globally for gender justice and awareness

Kiran, a brave 21-year-old from a small village in India, is raising awareness about sexual violence. When she was 13, she survived a gang rape, which led to a significant change in her community. The three men responsible were sentenced to 25 years in prison. Despite facing threats and shame, Kiran and her family pursued justice. Her case inspired many in the village to reconsider how they view women. Kiran’s father, Ranjit, says that the harsh sentence taught men in the village how to treat women with more respect. Kiran, now a college student studying Hindi, dreams of becoming the first woman police inspector from her village. Recently, Kiran joined the #Standwithher campaign in New York, aimed at supporting survivors of gender-based violence. The initiative seeks to educate people about the importance of standing by survivors and encouraging them to share their stories. Kiran hopes to spread awareness globally, emphasizing the need for survivors to be heard and supported. The campaign’s founder, director Nisha Pahuja, noted that Kiran's journey has helped change the narrative around shame and violence. She aims to create educational programs to address gender-based violence in schools across the U.S. and beyond. At a recent United Nations event, Kiran’s story was highlighted as part of a broader discussion about women's rights facing challenges worldwide. Statistics show that many women experience violence in their lives. In India, a woman is raped every 16 minutes, but many cases go unreported. Kiran's father expresses immense pride in her. He sees her as a role model, not just in style but also in courage. Thanks to Kiran, more girls in the village are pursuing education and embracing their individuality. Kiran’s journey is one of strength and resilience, inspiring change in her community and beyond.