The Kalinga Fellowship is a global systems-change leadership platform dedicated to advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Gender Equality, with a particular focus on gender-based violence (GBV) and human trafficking. Conceived as a 10-year commitment in March 2017 by The Bridge Institute, FXB India Suraksha, and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), the Fellowship mobilizes key actors to create zero tolerance for sexual assault and trafficking of women and children across Asia.
Human trafficking and gender-based violence are deeply rooted global crises, perpetuated by socio-political complexities, economic exploitation, and systemic silos. The Kalinga Fellowship seeks to break these silos, bringing together government, business, civil society, and survivor leaders to create an organized movement against these atrocities.
By fostering collaboration, innovation, and collective accountability, the Fellowship addresses not only trafficking and sexual violence but also the larger umbrella of gender inequality.
The Fellowship brings together a powerful coalition of leaders, stakeholders, and survivors to develop breakthrough strategies against GBV and trafficking.
An intensive five-day residential workshop hosted annually at KISS and KIIT serves as the launchpad for ideas and action plans.
Corporations, NGOs, and policy-makers collaborate to influence systemic change, creating ripple effects far beyond the Fellowship itself.
Survivors actively participate, sharing their lived experiences to inform strategies and lead solutions.
All initiatives align directly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Each Fellow is paired with a mentor during the event and receives one year of continued coaching to implement their vision.
Annual residential leadership workshop hosted at different locations across India, serving as the launchpad for breakthrough ideas and transformative action plans.
Leaders from over 40 countries and organizations such as Apple, HSBC, Google, MARS, SoJust Add Water, Dentsu Aegis, as well as NGOs like FXB, BRIDGE, Ashoka, Prajwala, EKJUT, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, and many others.
Establishing foundational frameworks for addressing GBV
Exploring economics, flows, and socio-political dimensions
Building collaborative leadership with strong emphasis on SDG 5
Fellows brainstorm and co-create solutions like G-Corp (a gender equity certification for corporations) and Didihood (a movement to promote self-esteem and agency among women in sex work, inspired by Kat-Katha’s model).
10-year strategic commitment to create zero tolerance for sexual assault and trafficking.
Mentorship for one year post-event, ensuring Fellows turn ideas into action.
Cross-sector collaboration leading to initiatives that scale beyond the Fellowship.
Cross-sector collaboration leading to initiatives that scale beyond the Fellowship.
Ideas to Action: Movements like G-Corp and Didihood born from Fellowship sessions.
Hear from the courageous leaders and survivors who are transforming communities and challenging gender-based violence worldwide.
“I was almost a victim of human trafficking at 14 but I was rescued in time. When I returned, I faced a lot of stigma from the villagers. Through ILFAT and the Kalinga Fellowship, I found the courage and reassurance that I could fight against human trafficking at an organised level and try and prevent this from happening to others too. The Fellowship has given me the perspective to engage with different viewpoints and also the confidence to put my point across in front of people from across the world.”
— Piu,
Survivor Leader from Zero Tolerance to Child Marriage Stream
Other participants have echoed similar sentiments, highlighting how the Fellowship has transformed their leadership capacity, expanded their networks, and empowered them to challenge gender-based violence in their own communities.
The Kalinga Fellowship recognises that combating human trafficking requires breaking silos, mobilizing stakeholders, and building an ecosystem of collective action. By fostering leadership at all levels—from survivor leaders to corporate executives—the Fellowship is creating a sustainable movement to reduce and ultimately eradicate gender-based violence.
Through innovation, collaboration, and survivor-centered leadership, the Kalinga Fellowship is not just a program—it is a movement. It continues to inspire actionable solutions, ensuring that gender equality is not just a goal, but a lived reality.
