Sushmi Majumder ’25 is envisioning new possibilities for community-based empowerment with solutions at the nexus of communication and global development. As a CALS Global Fellow, Sushmi implemented a storytelling initiative that empowered local women in political and civic engagement in Haryana, India. With a commitment to inclusive, culturally sensitive communication, she believes in an approach to development that not only values local voices, but encourages their leadership. Learn how Sushmi’s double major in Development Sociology and Communication is preparing her to advocate for human rights.
First things first, tell us what you’ve been up to in India.
This summer as a CALS Global Fellow, I’m an intern at the S M Sehgal Foundation, a non-profit located in Gurugram, Haryana, where I am designing and implementing an initiative founded on storytelling and narrative-based research. Working alongside my mentor Dr. Vikas Jha, the initiative aims to boost women’s empowerment in the spheres of political and civic engagement the Nuh district of Haryana.
My inspiration for the project came from Carolina Osorio Gil, a Ph.D. student in Development Studies, who did story circling work in Chiapas, Mexico for water conservation. I wanted to integrate something similar into the structure of self-help groups (SHGs) and women leadership schools (WLS) in the Nuh District of Haryana, India. Storytelling/story circling allows women to engage in a free, non-judgmental space where they are encouraged to share personal experience and memories. Narrative-based activities would hopefully make the women feel further supported by each other for when they eventually face the gram panchayat (a village-based governing institution consisting of predominantly men), to raise concerns about community issues such as broken roads, water inaccessibility, etc.
What is the main goal you hope to achieve in your research project?
Story circling aims to build and strengthen the pre-existing knowledge base of the village women. My long-term goal is for them to comfortably run this exercise in SHGs and Women Leadership Schools themselves without external facilitators involved, potentially using art, music, and dance to enrich the story circle aspect of their meetings.
Integrating local culture into this practice is a way to make it more sensitized, inclusive, and engaging overall. I believe that art forms transcend various boundaries, helping women of all ages, religious backgrounds, etc. to participate with equal opportunity and confidence in these groups.
Aside from directly supporting the women, I’m hoping that my research will aid the Foundation and other stakeholders with future initiatives. Oftentimes, accurately gauging and assessing the needs of women in vulnerable communities can be difficult. Only through story circling was I able to learn that some of the women wished for more cultural programs and employment opportunities for SHGs and WLS groups. This information could be crucial for policymakers and NGOs when curating new welfare opportunities. Similarly, certain topics may be hard or even painful to disclose when the women are directly asked. However, through a creative free flow of stories, stakeholders may receive insight on these sensitive issues that they wouldn't discern by asking normally.
I was so inspired by women when they would share comments such as: “Usually in our meetings we’re used to listening, but this is the first time we really got to speak and share our own lives,” or “You feel like a part of our family now.” This experience has taught me that there is no other learning experience that is comparable to engaging directly with communities. I’m so grateful to have learned from this resilient group of women.
What are you learning here that you know you could not learn in the classroom?
I feel as if I’m learning what empowerment truly is. Empowerment is not just some textbook definition that can be taught in a classroom. It’s something indescribable and inexplicable but clearly visible, especially through the way the eyes of these women light up when they talk about everything they have accomplished. From pushing for vaccine advocacy, spreading sanitation awareness, to encouraging education pursuit, and more, these women are remarkable. I can only hope to embody even a fraction of their strength and fortitude one day.
Additionally, I was completely blown away by how well-rounded the women in these villages truly are. For example, while it’s true that some basic resources still have limited accessibility, these communities have practiced sustainability longer and more efficiently than we could ever. These women are constantly grateful for everything they have and repurpose old materials into beautiful, new handicrafts. I honestly believe that I have to learn how to build my own self-confidence after seeing these communities interact and empower each other.
