"At first, I was scared to speak. But KBC taught me how to raise my voice and ask questions," says Imran, a 14-year-old student from Dilshad Garden’s Hari Vardi School, living in Tahirpur MCD Colony with his family for the past ten years. Two years ago, he joined the Kadam Badhate Chalo (KBC) programme when Anjali from TeamUp for Transformation, a partner organisation of the Martha Farrell Foundation, introduced him to the programme.
“Before joining KBC, I had little understanding of topics like gender and leadership,” says Imran. However, through active involvement in the sessions and activities, Imran developed a deeper understanding of gender equality and the impact of violence in society.
Imran grew up seeing fights between his parents because of his father’s drinking, which was a big issue in his family. However, the programme has helped him have discussions with his family about this issue so that the problem is resolved and not merely swept under the carpet. "With the confidence I gained by joining KBC, I started talking to my family about what I learnt in sessions,” he shares. Over time, things began to change at home — there were fewer arguments, and his father eventually stopped drinking. “Seeing this change made me realise the power of dialogue and awareness,” he shares.
Through KBC, Imraan became aware of the various forms of violence in his surroundings — harassment, teasing, catcalling, and verbal abuse. He recognised that such behaviours were not just minor inconveniences, but serious issues that affected the dignity and safety of people. Imran believes that the most prevalent form of violence he has witnessed is domestic violence. He strongly feels that women should raise their voices against violence and not remain silent. He hopes to spread awareness and empower people, especially women, to protect themselves and demand justice.
The leadership workshops part of the programme have helped Imran become a strong leader in his community and among his peers, as he realised that being a leader is not just about bringing people together, but also about maintaining discipline and responsibility within the group. Indeed, discipline and consistency were two of the most valuable lessons he learnt. “Before joining KBC, I frequently skipped school and was irregular in attending activities,” says Imran. However, as he became more engaged in the programme, he developed an interest in learning and became more responsible with his time. He added, “My leadership role in KBC also taught me the importance of time management.”
The programme also helped him overcome personal barriers. Earlier, he hesitated to interact with girls, but KBC encouraged him to build friendships across gender lines, breaking stereotypes and building mutual respect. His journey also inspired his friends. As he eagerly shared his learnings from KBC, two of his close friends, Pawan and Aman became interested and eventually joined the programme. They also started attending sessions, eager to explore, engage, and learn new ideas through discussions about gender-based issues on equality, discrimination, and violence.
Looking ahead, Imran is committed to carrying forward the learnings from KBC. He plans to share his knowledge in school, with friends, and within his community. “One of the most powerful tools I discovered was street play (nukkad natak). I want to participate in more plays to educate people on different social issues,” he says. Through his journey from a hesitant observer to a confident leader, Imran has proven that change begins with awareness and the courage to speak up.
Imran, along with other KBC leaders, performing a nukkad natak on substance abuse in Sonia Camp.
