2024
Dream Building and Leadership for Adolescent Girls — Sakhi Annual Event, Corporation Girls Higher Secondary School, Perambur
The Penn Collective concluded 2024 with a session on Dream Building and Leadership for adolescent girls at Corporation Girls Higher Secondary School, Perambur on 27th December 2024, as part of the Sakhi Annual Event organised by Nalandaway Foundation. The session introduced concepts of sex, gender, and patriarchy, and discussed gaps in access to opportunities and role models for young girls at the intersections of gender, caste, and other marginalisations.
Read MoreWorkshop on Policymaking — SUSTAINOVATE, Stella Maris College, Chennai
On 27th November 2024, The Penn Collective conducted a workshop on Policy Making for ~60 school and college students as part of the SUSTAINOVATE initiative of the Sustainable Development Students Hub, Stella Maris College, Chennai. Students from Economics, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, Physics, Food Processing, and Commerce participated, developing innovative policy ideas linked to the SDGs 2030.
Read MoreFrom Grassroots to Government: Women's Path to Political Empowerment — Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli
On 15th November 2024 (Children's Day week), The Penn Collective hosted "From Grassroots to Government – Women's Path to Political Empowerment" for 100+ UG and PG students of Engineering and Business Administration at Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli. The session covered gender concepts, patriarchy, data on women in politics, barriers women face, and the importance of women's voices in decision-making.
Read MoreGender Sensitization for Children and Adolescents, Kizhvillivalam Village, Vandavasi
The Penn Collective and Karpom Karpipom conducted a half-day training for 30+ adolescents at Kizhvillivalam village, Vandavasi, Tiruvannamalai district on 12th October 2024. Topics included healthy adolescence, self-identity, goal-setting, leadership, gender education, patriarchy, and the importance of education. A children's parliament was formed for the village and leaders were elected democratically.
Read MoreBook Reading & Introduction — "Book of Rebellion" in Collaboration with Her Stories
On 5th October 2024, Her Stories and The Penn Collective organised a Book Reading event on "The Book of Rebellion", exploring the lives of Nellie Bly, the first woman investigative journalist, and Sarah Chapman, a labour rights activist. Guest speakers Ms. Kavitha Muralidharan, Senior Journalist, and Ms. Vaishnavi from Workers Unity Tamil, enriched the conversation on women in journalism, pay disparity, and women's representation in trade unions.
Read MorePower Plays: Deconstructing the Roots of Sexual Violence — in Collaboration with Karpom Karpipom
On 14th September 2024, The Penn Collective and Karpom Karpipom hosted a screening of the documentary "But What Was She Wearing?" followed by a 5+ hour discussion on power, violence, patriarchy, gender norms, caste, religion, capitalism, and the state of implementation of the Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2013. The event was attended by people across ages and genders committed to creating a world free of sexual violence.
Read MoreDoActNotReact — Protest Demanding Safety for Women in All Workplaces
On 25th August 2024, The Penn Collective joined Voice of People and other civil society organisations at a protest at Valluvar Kottam, Chennai, demanding safety for women in all workplaces. The event included representatives from IT, textile, garment, sanitary, and teaching workers, legal experts explaining the POSH Act, parai and rap performances, sloganeering, and an endorsement kiosk with 11 key demands for the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Read MoreLeadHer Forward — Gender Sensitisation and Women's Leadership, CTTE College, Chennai
The Penn Collective conducted "LeadHer Forward: Fostering Gender Sensitisation and Women's Leadership" for UG and PG students of the Department of English at Chevalier T Thomas Elizabeth (CTTE) College, Perambur, Chennai on 19th August 2024. The session explored sex, gender, gender roles and norms through activities, and covered data on women in senior leadership roles across sectors, alongside barriers women face in accessing positions of power.
Read MoreBook Reading & Discussion — "Betromax Light-eh dhan Venuma?" in Collaboration with Her Stories
As part of the "Penniyam Pazhu" series, The Penn Collective collaborated with Her Stories to host a book reading and discussion on 28th July 2024. The session explored themes from the Tamil book "Betromax Light-eh dhan Venuma?" with participants sharing reflections and engaging in vibrant conversation.
Read MoreDecoding Democracy — Indian Elections 2024
On 22nd June 2024, The Penn Collective organised "Decoding Democracy – Indian Elections 2024" at Diet-In, Chennai. The event analysed data from the Lok Sabha elections, focusing on women's representation in the current Lok Sabha, and discussed factors contributing to the decline. Ms. Pallavi, Political Trainer from Maharashtra, joined online. The event concluded with a farewell celebration for Co-Founder Ashweetha, heading to Harvard.
Read MoreBook Reading & Discussion — "Kuthama Sollala, Gunama Solrom" in Collaboration with Her Stories
The Penn Collective, in collaboration with Her Stories and author Nivedita Louis, hosted a book reading and discussion on 11th May 2024. The event covered chapters "Ellam Therindha Ekambarangal" and "Pengalum Arasiyalum" from J. Deepa Lakshmi's book. Core topics included Mansplaining and Women and Politics, and their interconnection.
Read MoreLet Us In — Offline Event & One Year Anniversary Celebration
The Penn Collective celebrated its one-year anniversary on 9th March 2024 at Bessybeach, Chennai, with the offline "Let Us In" campaign event. The event featured interactive games, advocacy for women's inclusion in political and public spaces, sloganeering, and celebrations with participants, volunteers, and supporters.
Read MoreWomen and Politics — Panel Discussion at Madras School of Social Work
The Penn Collective was invited to a panel discussion on Women and Political Empowerment among students of Social Work at Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) on 8th March 2024, International Women's Day. The discussion was organised by the Gender Equity Cell of MSSW and Feminist Association for Social Action (FASA).
Read MoreLet Us In — Online Campaign
The Penn Collective launched the "Let Us In" online campaign on 4th March 2024, ahead of International Women's Day and the one-year anniversary of the collective. Participants were invited to write "Let Us In" on their palms, take a selfie, post it on Instagram tagging @thepenncollective, and nominate other women to join.
Read MoreGender Sensitisation and Political Empowerment for Adolescent Girls, Gandhigram School, Dindigul
As part of AWARE India's week-long camp, The Penn Collective facilitated a session on Political Awareness for adolescent girls at Gandhigram Sevikashram School, Dindigul on Republic Day. The participants were introduced to women political leaders, their achievements, and pathways to pursue politics as a career. At the start, all participants drew politicians as male figures — by the end of the session, that perception shifted. Participants resolved to assume leadership roles in their villages to address local issues.
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