From Celebration to Empowerment: Sheena Chohan Champions Youth Rights in Dharavi on Women’s Day

Mumbai, March 2026 – Rather than marking International Women’s Day with conventional events, actress and human rights advocate Sheena Chohan chose hands-on engagement in one of Asia’s largest informal settlements. On March 8, she spent the day in Dharavi connecting directly with students and young artists, emphasizing the practical importance of understanding fundamental human rights, building self-confidence, and fostering equality.

Known for her work across Hindi, South Indian, and international cinema, Sheena has long balanced her acting career with advocacy. As South Asia Ambassador for United for Human Rights, she uses her platform to promote dignity, justice, and respect for all. This Women’s Day, she transformed the occasion from symbolic recognition into active learning and dialogue.

Interacting with young people—many of whom are emerging performers—Sheena facilitated open conversations about gender equality, personal confidence, and the courage required to speak up for one’s rights. Participants received human-rights booklets and educational kits, practical tools designed to help them grasp concepts of dignity, fairness, and justice in everyday life.

“Real progress begins when young people feel confident enough to speak up about equality,” Sheena said during the outreach. “Women’s Day reminds us that empowerment is not only about celebration—it’s about awareness, courage, and creating spaces where girls and boys grow up believing that respect and safety are fundamental values.”

A key part of the day involved collaboration with The Dharavi Dream Project, also known as the After School of Hip-Hop. This community-driven initiative empowers local youth through creative outlets such as hip-hop, music, dance, and storytelling. The session brought students and young performers together to explore how artistic expression can strengthen voices, challenge inequalities, and build community resilience.

Sheena also lent her support to Udayan Care, an organization focused on providing education, mentorship, and pathways to independence for vulnerable young people. Through a dedicated seminar and workshop, she addressed groups of youth—particularly girls—sharing insights on basic rights, equality, and personal empowerment.

In Dharavi, a densely populated area often associated with challenges of poverty and limited resources, initiatives like these highlight the potential of grassroots education and creative engagement. By focusing on youth, especially adolescent girls and boys, the day underscored the long-term value of early awareness: equipping the next generation with knowledge that can help break cycles of discrimination and build more inclusive communities.

Sheena’s approach reflects a broader philosophy she has expressed in her advocacy work—that meaningful societal change requires moving beyond words to consistent, on-the-ground action. Through these interactions, she aimed to plant seeds of empathy, dialogue, and self-belief among participants.

For the young people involved, the experience offered more than information; it provided encouragement to see themselves as agents of change. In a world where access to rights education can remain uneven, especially in underserved areas, such direct outreach carries lasting significance.

Sheena Chohan’s Women’s Day initiative in Dharavi stands as a reminder that empowerment thrives through participation, creativity, and shared understanding. By prioritizing youth voices and rights awareness, she continues to demonstrate how public figures can contribute meaningfully to building a more equitable society—one conversation, one booklet, and one inspired young mind at a time.