My Choices Foundation

🚨 Just released: My Choices Foundation Impact Report 2023, Creating a safer world for women and children. Take a look at our report here: https://shorturl.at/clx67 We want a world where no woman or child is a survivor of gender-based violence or sex trafficking. It is the collective strength of our team, donors, and partners, steering My Choices Foundation to create a safer world for women and children. Please take some time to read through the deep impact we have had at My Choices Foundation in 2023. Journey with us on this road to end gender-based violence against women and children and share in the joy of the stories that ignite change in generations.

In India, gender inequality remains a significant challenge, deeply rooted in societal norms and stereotypes that manifest from a young age. A striking example is highlighted in a Norwegian social experiment where children performing the same task received unequal rewards based solely on gender, leaving them shocked upon realising the unfairness. This mirrors the disparities many Indian women face throughout their lives. Watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/di7kCrPz Key Statistics: India reported a gender pay gap of 24.81%, with women earning significantly less than men. Economic Participation: As of 2023, the labour force participation rate among females in India is 32.7%, compared to 76.8% among males. Political Representation: In 2024, women held only 14.7% of seats in the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of Parliament. Educational Attainment: Despite improvements, a 17.2 percentage point gap persists between male and female literacy rates. At My Choices Foundation, we are committed to addressing these inequalities early on through our Safe Village Programs and school initiatives. These programs educate communities about gender equality, the importance of education for girls, and the prevention of child trafficking. By challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities from a young age, we aim to create a future where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive with dignity and respect. Join us in building an India where equality is the norm, and every child grows up free from discrimination. #stopdomesticviolence #endhumantrafficking #genderbasedviolence

We are so honoured to share that Elca Grobler, Founder of My Choices Foundation, has been featured in Conglomerate Magazine's upcoming edition: "Asia's Pioneering Champions for Women's & Girls' Rights to Watch in 2025." Guided by Melinda Gates' inspiring words, "Sometimes all that is necessary to lift women and girls up is to stop pulling them down" - Elca has dedicated her life to creating meaningful change for women and girls across India. 'Choice’ is a simple word but carries a deep and powerful meaning. It can inspire us, build us, lead us, and destroy us. The most vital power and the most fundamental right anyone should have in life is the ability to choose. Elca gave life to My Choices Foundation 12 years ago, driven by her passion and a deep desire to create a world where women and girls are given the ‘choice' to choose to live a life free from violence and sexual abuse. Recognising her unwavering dedication and passion, Elca Grobler has been honoured for her profound impact across India. We invite you to explore this special feature's remarkable journey of compassion, leadership, and empowerment. Together, we continue to give women, children and families the choice to live their lives free from abuse, violence and sexual exploitation. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/dtE8QfE8 #stopdomesticviolence #endhumantrafficking

Love That Frees, Not Hurts As we close this Valentine’s campaign, we look ahead with hope—toward an India where love is defined by freedom, dignity, safety and respect. Love is care. Love is safety. Love is a choice. Every woman, girl, and boy deserves to live in a world where love uplifts—not controls, hurts, or silences. Homes, communities, and relationships are built on respect, trust, and protection. We believe in an India where: Every woman is free from fear. Every child grows up with dignity and safety. Every relationship is grounded in care and respect. Our work doesn’t stop here. Together, we are breaking cycles of violence, empowering survivors, and building a future where love never causes harm. We continue to give women and children the choice to live their lives free from abuse, violence and exploitation. Thank you for being part of our Journey. To show your love, donate today, https://lnkd.in/dTdzdaE4! Let’s continue to build India where #LoveShouldntHurt and #LovingWithoutHarm is the only kind of love we know.

🚨 Love Shouldn’t Hurt 🚨 Abuse is NOT normal. No one deserves to suffer in silence. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, SEEK HELP. 📞 Call our toll-free helpline: 1800 212 9131 You are not alone. Support is available. #LoveShouldntHurt #EndAbuse #SeekHelp #MyChoicesFoundation

ARE YOU IN A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP? Love should never hurt. Love should never control. Take our quick quiz to find out if your relationship is built on respect, trust, and safety. By participating, you’re standing alongside millions of women across India who are choosing #LovingWithoutHarm and breaking the cycle of domestic violence. 📲 Click here to take the quiz now: https://lnkd.in/dGy-QRw Together, we can build a world where #LoveShouldntHurt.

As we approach #ValentinesDay, let’s remember that while many celebrate love, for 1 in 3 women in India, love has meant violence (NFHS-4). For survivors of domestic violence, this day can serve as a painful reminder of the abuse they have endured. Love should never hurt. Love should never control. A healthy relationship is built on respect, not fear. Love uplifts, it does not harm. No one deserves violence in the name of love. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. 📞 Call: 1800 212 9131 📲 WhatsApp (if unsafe to call): 9333 40 4141 Join us in spreading the message of #LovingWithoutHarm and stand for a world where #LoveShouldntHurt.

Every 16 Minutes, a Woman or Girl in India is Raped. For too many women and girls, what should be love and safety is twisted into control, fear, and harm. They are trapped by the deceit of love—a love that wounds instead of heals, controls instead of frees. At My Choices Foundation, we believe that love does not manipulate, control, or silence. Love protects, gives freedom, respects dignifies, gives safety and empowers. Let the week of love remind us to fight for those who are victims of this distortion. Let us stand for a love that is pure, respectful, and free. Love is not control. Love is freedom. Love is not violence. Love is protection. Love is not silence. Love is a voice. We can shine a light in the darkness and bring hope to those trapped by abuse. Let’s fight for a world where love is never a weapon and every woman and girl is given the choice to live a life free from abuse, violence and exploitation. Join us in spreading the message of #LovingWithoutHarm and stand for a world where #LoveShouldntHurt.

Love is meant to uplift, protect, and empower—not to harm. This Valentine's season, My Choices Foundation is shining a light on what true love looks like—in families, friendships, and communities. From a mother and daughter to a father and son, from neighbours to entire communities, love should always be rooted in respect, freedom, and safety. Yet, in India, violence remains a reality for too many: 1- in 3 women experience domestic violence. -Every 3 minutes, a crime against a woman is reported. -India ranks among the highest in cases of human trafficking, with vulnerable women and children at the greatest risk. We work to prevent abuse and exploitation, empower survivors, and create communities where love is free from fear. This Valentine’s week, let’s redefine love. Love should never come with fear, pain, control or hurt. Let’s build relationships and communities where love uplifts, not destroy. Let’s create a world where every woman, girl, and boy has the freedom to make the choices to live a life free from abuse, violence, and exploitation. Join us in spreading the message of #LovingWithoutHarm and stand for a world where #LoveShouldntHurt.

Including men and boys in our programmes is essential to creating communities that are safe from trafficking. Meet our "Smart Boys"—young changemakers reading through our interactive comic book, learning how to stand up for justice and protect their villages. In the comic, Rahul, the "Smart Boy", represents efficiency, boldness, and respect for girls. He stands against injustice and fights for what is right—just like these young boys who are growing into protectors of their communities. Want to be part of the change? Support our work and help us create safer villages. Donate today at the link, https://lnkd.in/dTdzdaE4. *Image used for illustrative purposes only. #StopDomesticViolence #EndSexTrafficking #GenderBasedViolence #SmartBoysForJustice