Maitrayana

Maitrayana We are a not-for-profit organization using sports to empower adolescent girls and young women!

The vision of Maitrayana is to create a gender equal society in which girls and women can exercise their rights. The mission is to leverage the power of sport create ecosystems that empower girls and women to fulfil their potential. Maitrayana is driven by the values of integrity, transparency, respect and inclusion.

20/05/2026

Our Community Sports Coaches, along with their Junior Coaches, confidently presented the incredible work they have been doing across schools and communities at the YPI Review Presentation.🌟

Through well-prepared and engaging presentations, they reflected on their journey of implementing our sports-for-development programme with girls and young women from underserved communities. Their stories showed how sport is not just about girls taking up sport, but about creating safe spaces where they feel empowered, learn how to access their rights, and move closer to fulfilling their potential.💪

They spoke about the challenges they faced while delivering netball and life skills sessions, and how they overcame them with courage, guided by their Coaches and Junior Coaches. The confidence, leadership, and communication skills they built during their internship were clearly visible throughout.🙌

What made the event even more special was that it was hosted by our Community Sports Coaches, Aqsa and Babli, who did a fantastic job.👏

A big congratulations to all the CSCs, and especially to our winners:
🥇 Neha and Babli from MIAM School.
🥈 Sanjana and Mantasha from Anjuman Ghatkopar School.
🥉 Sanjana, Sadaf, and Sheefa from Dharavi Community.

We are incredibly proud of each one of them and the journeys they are on. 🌟

Together, we are working towards making society more gender equal. 👧

On the final day of Maitrayana’s Capacity Building Workshop, we began with a Town Hall in which the Core Team responded ...
16/05/2026

On the final day of Maitrayana’s Capacity Building Workshop, we began with a Town Hall in which the Core Team responded to staff questions about the new programme module and the organization's future direction.🏐

Led by our ML&E Associate, Madina Bi, the session created space for open conversations, questions, and clarity. It helped teams better understand the new model, long-term engagement with girls, and future outreach plans. ✨️

Maitrayana’s CEO, Kalyani Subramanyam explained that the new programme module is designed to engage adolescent girls over a period of three years, while also encouraging their continued participation in community hubs. This approach ensures that girls keep growing, learning, and developing over time, as we aim to build long-term, meaningful relationships with them. 👧

We also had a session led by our Coordinators, where staff reflected on Maitrayana’s 4 core values—Transparency, Inclusion, Respect, and Integrity.💫

Through a play-based activity, we discussed how to practise the 4 values while delivering sessions. Staff spoke about the importance of taking responsibility, and creating a safe space for all to speak up.🌟

The workshop strengthened our shared vision and reminded us of our responsibility to ensure that adolescent girls and young women receive quality life skills and netball sessions, so they can access their rights and fulfil their potential.🙌

15/05/2026

Girls are often told to stay indoors, focus only on studies, and step away from sports. Maitrayana works to change that.✨️

At the in Mumbai, our Netball Club participants ran for a cause. The run was dedicated to raising funds for spinal cord research and moving closer to finding a cure.🏃‍♀️✨️

But beyond the cause, they experienced the joy of running, being seen, and claiming spaces they don’t always have easy access to.🏐

Together, we are working towards a gender-equal society where girls are not held back, but supported to access their rights and fulfill their dreams.💫

13/05/2026

Maitrayana at the Wings for Life World Run 2026! 🌍🏃‍♀️

This Sunday, our Mumbai team spent their morning doing something meaningful. Our staff, Community Sports Coaches, and club participants came together to run as part of the Wings for Life World Run 2026.

We joined 346,526 runners from across the world, all running for the same cause, to raise funds for spinal cord research and move closer to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries.👏

At Maitrayana, we use netball as a tool to empower adolescent girls and young women from underserved communities. We see every day how powerful sport can be in bringing change. Being part of this run felt like an extension of that belief.✨️

It was great to see everyone show up with so much energy and purpose. A heartfelt thank you to Sheetal Malviya for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this meaningful and inspiring run. 💛✨

Image Courtesy: .j.dsouza

At Maitrayana, we use sports as a tool to empower adolescent girls and young women so they can access their rights and f...
10/05/2026

At Maitrayana, we use sports as a tool to empower adolescent girls and young women so they can access their rights and fulfil their potential. We work in underserved communities that often do not receive the attention and support they deserve.

But this work is not possible alone. Our work goes beyond just engaging with girls on the playground. It is rooted in the support of community members who quietly ensure that girls continue to access safe spaces, opportunities, and encouragement to play and grow.

With the support of donations received through rocam and , we distributed sports shoes and protein powder to our key supporters.

At the Banjara Club, sisters of the participants and supportive stakeholders who consistently help girls attend sessions were recognised. They shared that they would now use the sports shoes to walk or play with their children, while the protein powder would help them feel more energetic in their daily lives.

At Anjuman Ghatkopar School, we honoured Khala Maa (school staff) and supervisor, who have always supported us on the ground and treated the team with respect. Khala Maa was especially happy to receive the shoes, seeing it as a gesture of gratitude for her constant support.

In the Dharavi community, parents play a powerful role in enabling girls to participate. They not only support their own children but also encourage other families by explaining the importance of sports and why girls deserve equal access to play.

This highlighted that behind every girl who steps onto the playground, there is a community that supports her. By recognising these contributors, we strengthen the ecosystem that makes empowerment through sport possible.

Vabnitha from Procam shared, “The Tata Mumbai Marathon is more than a single race; it’s built on community. It’s encouraging to see that spirit continue through these resources reaching people supporting young athletes.”

We are grateful to TMM, Procam, and all our supporters for their continued support. Together, we are working towards building a gender equal society.

The Gender Journeys session was an important part of Maitrayana’s annual Capacity Building Workshop. It focused on unlea...
08/05/2026

The Gender Journeys session was an important part of Maitrayana’s annual Capacity Building Workshop. It focused on unlearning gender expectations and encouraging staff to understand gender identity and expression. The session helped unpack gender as a social construct by exploring s*x assigned at birth, gender identity, and gender expression, and how these may or may not always align.

Through open discussions, it became a process of unlearning and learning together. Over time, they were able to understand these concepts better. As Jiya, our Programme Associate, shared, “I bought my son a kitchen play set because he wanted it. At first, my family was not happy, but I explained that toys don’t belong to a specific gender and every child has the right to play with what they love, and they understood.” This reflection highlighted how everyday choices can challenge gender norms and create more inclusive environments.

Some key insights from the session included recognising that our understanding of gender is shaped by what we see and learn while growing up, but it can change over time. We discussed how gender is diverse, and that everyone has the freedom to express themselves in their own way.
We also reflected on how pronouns are an important way of affirming identity and expression, and committed to beginning the use of pronouns in official communication in the workplace.

The session reinforced the importance of recognising everyone’s right to identity and self-expression, and the role we all play in creating safe and respectful spaces for all.

empoweringwomeneverywhere

At Maitrayana’s Capacity Building Workshop, we had a session on PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment), led by our CEO, ...
06/05/2026

At Maitrayana’s Capacity Building Workshop, we had a session on PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment), led by our CEO, Kalyani Subramanyam, and our Communication and Advocacy Coordinator, Shaziya. The session created space for open conversations about rights, boundaries, and building a workplace where everyone feels safe to speak up.✨

With a focus on understanding that impact matters more than intent, the session explored both digital and in-person communication. From rethinking the use of emojis in professional spaces to learning how to set boundaries with clarity and confidence, the discussions highlighted how actions can be perceived differently.🛜

Through group discussions, staff reflected on how personal boundaries can vary and why it is important to be mindful of how our words and actions affect others in the workplace. The facilitators also shared simple and practical ways to communicate boundaries respectfully.🤝

Some key takeaways from the session included recognising that digital communication can often lead to misinterpretation, making it important to be mindful of how we express ourselves; understanding that when in doubt, it is always better to ask for clarification; acknowledging that boundaries are personal and must be respected regardless of intent; and that setting boundaries is a skill that can be developed and practised over time.

We concluded with a reaffirmation of Maitrayana’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all staff, irrespective of gender. Staff were encouraged to reach out to the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) whenever in need or doubt, highlighting that support is always within reach.

At Maitrayana, building a workplace rooted in safety, dignity, and respect is not just a goal, but a continued responsibility. Together, we continue working towards a culture where everyone feels protected, valued, and heard.🙌

empoweringwomeneverywhere

27/04/2026

Celebrating Young Female Leaders at the Peer Leader Graduation in Delhi! 🌟

143 Peer Leaders from 10 schools and 8 communities took the stage to present their journeys of leading impactful action projects focused on making their schools and communities safer, more inclusive, and better for everyone. They began by identifying issues faced by many and chose to take action. From campus safety initiatives to clean washroom campaigns and advocating for better playgrounds, these young leaders turned problems into opportunities for change.

Through these projects, the girls learned to lead discussions, build confidence, and stand up for what truly matters. Most importantly, they discovered that real change happens when they come together and work collectively.

The Peer Leader Graduation served as a platform for these young leaders to share their journeys, the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them together. The Peer Leaders from Attar Singh Community creatively presented their project on demanding clean drinking water through a powerful rap performance.

Our Senior Manager, Jaya Tiwari, appreciated the Peer Leaders for stepping up and taking initiative to address issues in their schools and communities. She encouraged them to continue strengthening their leadership skills and support others in their journeys.

We were also honoured to have the Vice Principal of GGSSS Madanpur Khadar, Ms. Geeta Devi, as our Chief Guest. She appreciated the confidence and enthusiasm of the Peer Leaders and highlighted how they are taking initiative on issues often addressed by teachers, reflecting their growing leadership and self belief.

These young changemakers remind us that leadership is about taking initiative, including everyone, amplifying voices, and creating lasting impact.

We are so proud of each and every one of these young leaders!

Address

E-257, G/F, Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar 4, New Delhi, South Delhi
Delhi
110024

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5am
Tuesday 9am - 5am
Wednesday 9am - 5am
Thursday 9am - 5am
Friday 9am - 5am

Telephone

+919818180362

Website

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