Ananya Tiwari (33), from India, is a doctoral candidate in educational psychology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with a minor in gender relations in international development and a graduate certificate in evaluation studies.

Ananya’s research explores structural determinants of gender inequality among marginalized girls in Indian schools, with a specific examination of “sense of belonging” within educational settings. Specifically within India’s residential girls’ secondary schools (KGBV), Ananya seeks to determine the levels of disadvantage that create cultural dissonance - the clash when girls’ education is being promoted at the policy level but community factors (caste, religion, gender, socio-economic status, and rural locations) are contributing to low attendance, high drop-out, and the fundamental belief that “I cannot succeed.”

In 2018 Ananya co-founded an international non-profit, SwaTaleem (https://swataleem.org), which addresses child marriage and school dropout by enhancing educational and life skills for girls in rural India. So far, the organization has worked with 1,000 girls across six schools in some of the most deprived parts of India.

Ananya’s future career is in international development as an expert and policy advocate in the global gender equity space. She hopes to continue expanding SwaTaleem and supporting underrepresented minorities to equip them in leading community-based initiatives.

Neema Landey (38), from Tanzania, is a third-year PhD student in education at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada.

Neema’s research examines the community attitudes and social constraints that contribute to low school attendance by Maasai girls. Despite existing efforts, factors such as female genital mutilation, child marriages, teen pregnancy, low value on girls’ education, and a lack of decision-making power are all significant impediments to Masai girls’ education.

Neema’s goal is to continue researching education in Africa and establish a peace center, which she is in the process of registering. The center will serve the dual purpose of being a refuge for girls who run away from home and a community library that would educate and empower young girls. Neema also hopes to continue her micro-finance scheme, which offers financial instruction and independence to many women. So far, Neema’s efforts have already helped mentor 52 girls in her community, of which one has recently gone to study abroad on a scholarship.

As a member of the Masai herself, Neema sees herself as an “inside outsider.” This position places her extremely well to support her community and influence meaningful change.