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Shilpi Singh

2022 Fellow

Director of Bhoomika Vihar

shilpi singh
India

The journey of Shilpi started from a middle-class family belonging to the Katihar District of Bihar. Her early education was completed from the State Board in Katihar. She became a young volunteer with Bhoomika Vihar during her studies in 2001. She credits her father and the founding director of Bhoomika Vihar for helping her get an early start in working on the eradication of discrimination and gender-based violence in society.

The prevalent suffering and social taboos in society motivated her to devote herself to the transformation and empowerment of girls and women from marginalized backgrounds. Pursuant to her objectives, she upgraded her skill and completed an MBA. To strengthen the movement against gender-based violence, Shilpi also mobilized a group of CBOs under the net of C.A.C.T., where she holds the post of state convener. Following the remarkable impact in the society, her efforts were acknowledged by the US Embassy as being one of their most prestigious professional exchange programs, IVLP in 2015.

She was also honored by International Fellowships from Canadian Development International Agency and from The Hague Academy for Local Governance, The Netherlands. Her motto of community driven and girl-led leadership has been used in a specialized intervention program for adolescent girls called, Durga Jattha. This intervention approach has led to multiple national accolades, including Shilpi being named a finalist in the Stop Slavery Award from Thomson Reuters Foundation in London in 2020, and the Aspiration Woman honor from former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.

In addition, Shilpi has co-authored a report on organized fake, forced and early marriages. The facts from this 2003 study report were referred to in the UK Parliament in 2008 to understand and mitigate social challenges in South Asian countries. Her work on preventing bridal trafficking was also featured in the national edition of Hindu in 2017.

Shilpi was also recognized as Secret Superstar by Legendary Bollywood actor Mr. Amir Khan in 2017. In addition to be a devoted social activist, she is a single mother of a 5-year-old child and a Kathak dance enthusiast.