“At work, when I spoke on harassment, gender equality, and women’s issues, everyone appreciated it. The journey of learning, the awareness and confidence to take a stand, it all started with ECF.” — shared by Amol Kasbe, now working in the HR field. 

Impact does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes, it shows up years later like in the quiet confidence of a young man leading a team, in the questions someone continues to ask within their family, or in the choice to pursue higher education while holding on to values rooted in equality and dignity. 

One of the most challenging questions in gender transformative work is not whether learning happens, but how long it lasts. When programmes focus on attitudes and behaviours, the outcomes are rarely immediate or easily measured. Yet, the true test of impact emerges years later, when participants take on new responsibilities, make critical life decisions, and navigate complex social and professional environments. Over the past decade, Equal Community Foundation has worked with adolescent boys and young men through the Action for Equality (AfE) programme, recognising that early engagement is critical. By reaching participants at a formative stage, AfE supports perspective-building and reflection before rigid social norms become deeply ingrained.

AfE creates safe spaces where adolescent boys are encouraged to question social expectations, examine power and privilege, and link gender equality to everyday life. Through dialogue, critical thinking, and reflective exercises, young little minds are guided to internalise values rather than simply follow rules. This approach helps the lessons stay with them, adapting to new environments as participants grow into adulthood.

Last year in November, we hosted a Learning and Sharing Meetup with our alumni, reconnecting with former participants after several years. The purpose was to create a safe space to listen closely to how learning has travelled with them over time. Alumni returned as individuals navigating life independently like some leading teams, others pursuing higher education, some managing different companies, and many contributing to communities through innovation or professional roles. Across this diversity, a shared thread emerged: the values and learning introduced through AfE remained present, influencing choices, behaviour, and interactions across personal and professional spaces.

“At the age when I knew nothing about society or the world I belonged to, ECF opened my eyes. My father used to stop me from going to classes, but if I had not joined, I would not be where I am today. My communication skills, my outlook on life, my perspective, all the baby steps started with ECF. I did not find ECF, ECF found me!” — reflected by Saurabh Shelke, now working in the hospital industry

During the meetup, conversations revealed something remarkable. Despite years of independent journeys, alumni felt connected to the vision and mission they had encountered during the programme. The ideas, values, and language around equality and dignity had not faded, rather evolved, matured, and continued to shape their decisions. Seeing young people carry this learning forward, questioning norms, taking responsibility, and modelling equitable behaviours, established profound evidence that change can be sustained over time.

For us as a team, the experience was both affirming and humbling. Listening to alumni narratives reminded us of our accountability to depth, consistency, and reflective practice. It reinforced the understanding that gender transformative work is not about direct outcomes; it is about laying foundations that continue to influence behaviour across life stages. The indirect outcomes, higher education, leadership, innovation, equitable family relationships, and community influence are significant indicators that the learning has taken root.

“The exposure I got at the right age, the professional and personal skill development, shaped me completely. Even today, at home and in every space I occupy, I advocate, I act. Coming here after 12 years felt nothing but inspiring.” — added Somnath Rarte, working in life insurance

This quote reflects how ECF’s approach, building professional, personal, and reflective skills,leaves lasting influence. It shows that early interventions, combined with safe spaces to explore ideas, empower alumni to act and advocate with confidence.

This decade-long engagement demonstrates that when adolescents are reached at the right time, and when learning is internalised rather than imposed, change lasts over time. It is quiet yet powerful, evolving as individuals navigate new roles and challenges. Alumni meetups show that engagement can be both consistent and transformative.Just as the values we learn in adolescence continue to guide choices, influence communities, and shape a more equitable society. 

For ECF, witnessing this journey, hearing the voices of those we worked with years ago, and seeing them translate learning into action, is a reminder of why long-term investment in gender transformative programmes matters.

Seeing the seeds planted years ago continue to grow quietly but powerfully, reminds us that change that stays is change that lives on through people.

And that is the impact that truly endures.

#GenderEquality #GenderJustice #MenForGenderEquality #BoysForChange #EqualityForAll #SustainableChange #CommunityChangeMakers #YouthVoicesMatter #ECFImpact

 

Authored by Urasmita Ghosh, Senior Communications Associate, Equal Community Foundation.