By Faiza Mehar

Entering the development sector happened to me entirely by chance. After completing my Masters in Human Resource Management, I was very unsure of my career prospective. And, then, after having been rejected from seventeen other organizations, I finally landed in an organization working on youth development. Though I was working in the capacity of an HR Coordinator, it was my first job that helped me question my very own stereotypes and break several societal notions which was deeply embedded in my mind.

Being a girl from a middle class Muslim family, I faced a diverse range of struggles and hardships. Though I was given the best education and upbringing, there was an unknown and hidden reason for the same. I later discovered that this was to help me find a “good groom”. This was the societal norm that my parents were adhering to. Of course, I don't blame them for being one among the majority. They were simply operating upon something they had heard and witnessed all their life. Frankly, I would have never even questioned this if I would have not worked in this sector. In my previous working organization, Pravaah, I attended a ‘Get Real Workshop’, a powerful and unforgettable experience for me. Slowly and strongly, I began questioning patriarchal thinking.

While exploring career opportunities in HR after working for almost 3 years with my previous work space, I came across Feminist Approach to Technology. FAT seemed like an organization, where I could use my expertise for various HR interventions and also would work with adolescent girls in different capacities. Hence, I decided to apply here and was fortunate enough to be hired. Having a keen desire to use HR skills for various interventions in development sector, especially with women and girls, I am currently on that journey where I am pursuing my passion as my career.

Being a part of FAT and within a brief period of one month, I could see myself among several girls of the Tech Centre. When I hear their stories of everyday struggle—getting up at 4 am, cooking for the entire family, struggle to go to schools and managing to just pass—and yet having the fire in them to become independent and confident souls, I feel extremely proud to be a part of an organization that is working relentlessly in building young, feminist leaders.

Once, while conducting a small introductory session of the girls at the Tech Centre, I asked them about the one thing that they want to do in their lives. These are adolescent girls coming from socially and economically disadvantaged families of urban poor settlements in South Delhi. The youngest among them, merely 13, said: “I want to do something different. I want to bring about a change.” What change? Maybe she may not know at this age. But I could see a spark in her. A spark to be the changemaker.  This girl is currently enrolled at FAT’s Tech Center while also being a member of the active theatre group at FAT that does several plays on gender, sexuality and feminism. She is paving her path to bring about a change in her own small and special way.

Being the HR person in an organization, I know I will mostly be involved in most of the desk job, but what I am happy about here is the rare opportunity to mentor the girls, assist them in their career building and, at times, also be a silent and intent listener of their amazing stories everyday.

Faiza is a new entrant into the FAT team who handles Human Resources and Operations at the organization