Equal Community Foundation (ECF) is a Pune-based non-profit that works with adolescent boys to instil gender-equitable behaviours in them.

It encourages them to challenge outdated power dynamics through curriculums implemented across the slums and underprivileged communities of India.

The foundation started in 2009 as ‘Solar Cinemas’, an idea by corporate professional Will Muir and journalist Rujuta Teredesai.

The duo would screen movies highlighting gender issues for the community, but soon discovered that these screenings were attended majorly by boys and men.

Will and Rujuta saw the all-male turnout as an opportunity to facilitate mindset shifts and began addressing gender bias. ECF was born in 2012.

ECF’s gender transformative programmes urge adolescents to actively challenge gender norms, while addressing societal power inequities.

“The challenges that boys face in transforming their attitudes and behaviours, and taking action are considered and addressed in the programme,” says Anjana Goswami, who is at the helm of these programmes.

Any language or methodology that ‘blames’ boys and does not protect their rights as children is strictly avoided.

One of their stand-out programmes is ‘Action for Equality’. The programme is targeted at getting adolescent boys to change their behaviours towards girls and women in their communities and their homes.

Collectively, ECF has facilitated behavioural change in over 10,000 boys across India.