With a network of over 850+ professionals from 99 countries specializing in a diverse array of professional fields, many Atlas Corps Alumni and current Fellows are making inspiring progress with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is time to celebrate the achievements of our amazing network and share advice on how we can all do our part to protect and support each other.
Today we want to talk with our Alumna Vithika (Class 1, India, Host: Free The Slaves) who is advocating for better sexual and reproductive health among youth in her home country of India. As the co-founder of internationally recognized Love Matters India, Vithika has used digital tools to improve reproductive healthcare access and education, including through multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Thank you Vithika for everything that you do to increase access to reproductive education and healthcare. We wish you all the best with this impactful work!
Name: Vithika Yadav Home Country: India Current Organization: Love Matters India / Development Consortium Role at current organization: Country Head Social Issues that you have worked with: Good health and well-being, Quality education, Gender equality, Reduced inequalities |
Tell us about your current projects?
As the Co-founder and Head of Love Matters India, which is the first ever and leading digital initiative in India to give complete, honest and unbiased information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of young people, I have been articulating the compelling value of the work on sexuality and sexual health issues of young people, assessing and understanding community/target audience needs, using human-centered design approach to design projects, content, campaigns and help fight myths, misconceptions and stereotypes.
The work entails setting standards of promising practices, exploring strategic multi-stakeholder partnerships and envisioning sustainable impact of the program. In my role, I am responsible for forging and managing relationships/partnerships with government, non-government organizations and corporates to forge multi- stakeholder partnerships.
I am also the Chair of the ‘Global Advisory Board on Sexual Health and Well-being’, powered by Durex. Currently, I am working on the launch of India’s first Augmented Reality App for Comprehensive Sexuality Education.
Love Matters has received many national and international Awards, including the award in 2013, for being the most innovative sexual health platform in the world by the World Association on Sexual Health. I have worked on India’s first Virtual Reality film on Intimate Partner Violence that also received multiple Awards nationally and internationally (SIMA—Social Impact for Media Award 2016) and a virtual reality film on access to safe and legal abortion as well as a 5 part series on human trafficking for MTV India.
Why is it important for you to work with these social issues?
My main area of work is in the domain of human trafficking, sexual rights and gender rights. All these issues are key global challenges, and I do what I do to contribute to a world where every life is respected and everyone thrives. I work towards a world that I would like to see and live in.
How has Atlas Corps contributed to your professional/ personal accomplishments?
Atlas Corps gave me the opportunity to work and learn from the some of the best changemakers in the domain of human trafficking. I grew both personally and professionally, and it helped me hone my skills that has helped me immensely in my career. Most important, while being a part of a global network where we feel connected as a global community, it is inspiring to be a part of the tribe that is driven by passion and purpose.
What message would you like to send to individuals who are thinking of supporting Atlas Corps?
When you invest in an Atlas Corps Fellow, you are investing in a change-maker, in a future leader and contributing towards a world that you would imagine for yourself and for the future generations. This is investing in good!
Join Atlas Corps Global Impact Gala on December 16th, 2020!
Be part of our end of year campaign to support our community of 850 social change leaders from 99 countries! By supporting Atlas Corps, you empower our global community that innovates at the forefront of the world’s most pressing issues. Join the Atlas Corps community as we renew our commitment to global impact by creating new opportunities for a generation of skilled, well-networked, and trained social change leaders!