BE SEEN. BE HEARD

86% of young people in India want to make positive changes in the world. However, there is a demographic divide in public life with under-representation of young voices. To amplify youth voices we have partnered with Young India Foundation for our Why25 program through which we will support long-term participation of young people in public decision-making.

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#Why25 Programme

Since Anita Roddick founded The Body Shop in 1976, we have campaigned on issues of social and environmental justice, because we believe that businesses have a responsibility towards the communities in which they operate. Starting 2022, The Body Shop India partners with Young India Foundation to amplify more young voices in public life through Why25 program ensuring that the next generation has a keen say in matters that affect the future of our country.

More than 50% of India’s population is under the age of 25 (Source: Youth in India 2022’ report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation) and with this project we intend to give the youth of our country a platform to Be Seen and to Be Heard.

Youth Voices in Public Life

1 out of every 2 people in India is under the age of 25. Every day, thousands of important decisions are made about the future of planet Earth and the societies that call it home, but there are billions of young people who have no part in making them. Young people have the right to be included in the decisions that affect them, however many barriers prevent their participation. To effect change, we are collaborating with the Young India Foundation on the #Why25 movement to amplify youth voices in public life.

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Young Indian Foundation

Young India Foundation is India’s first and only non-partisan, non-profit, youth-centric organisation focused on making Indian politics more youth inclusive. YIF is focused on platforming young people's voices and aspirations, all in the service of decreasing the gap between India’s young demographic and its political representatives. YIF’s work primarily operates at the grassroots supporting increased accountability, accessibility and inclusivity, thereby ensuring that young people contribute actively to shaping a future that reflects a diversity of needs and identities as well as the promise of democracy.

What are we doing & how you can help

The Body Shop and Young India Foundation are asserting for dedicated, targeted change that addresses the need for a shift in youth representation in all decision making forums. The UN Youth Report supports the fact that there is a clear appetite for more youth representation from all age groups. Learnings such as these will inform grassroots programme actions. Among other actions, young people’s participation in public decision-making could be improved long-term by:

RAISING 2.5 MILLION SIGNATURES FOR THE WHY25 PETITION
ADDING 25 MILLION YOUNG VOTERS TO VOTER ROLLS BY 2024
SUPPORTING 25 YOUTH-LED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AT GRASSROOT LEVELS

We can all put in the work and raise our voices.

Watch Why25 program video featuring inspiring young changemakers:

Meet Our Changemakers

Sudhanshu Kaushik, Founder-Young India Foundation

Sudhanshu Kaushik is the founder of Young India Foundation working to make the sphere of civic engagement more representative of young Indians and their aspirations.

The focus of his work rests on grassroots mobilisation, democratic dialogue and advocating for more young voices in public life.

Inderpreet Kaur, Lawyer-Jalandhar High Court

Inderpreet Kaur, ran for Panchayat elections two days after she turned 21. She was the first woman to run for Panchayat in her village.

Currently a practicing lawyer, she is waiting to turn 25 and be eligible for candidacy in the Lower House.

Sachin Rathod, Independent Panch

Sachin Rathod, is a young Panch from Ingalagi Karnataka.

With active support from Young India Foundation, Rathod has been championing rural welfare and community progress at the grassroots level.

Srishti Jaswal, Award Winning Journalist

Srishty Jaswal is an award winning journalist who has been extensively writing on issues that affect our collective future.

Her work is widely recognized, she was awarded the Lorenzo Natali Best Emerging Journalists Award along with International Center for Journalists Global Reporting Award. Her reporting has been supported by Pulitzer Centre, National Foundation for India and ICFJ.

Rikit Shah, Electoral Analyst, Pursuing Law

Rikit Shahi runs the Young india Foundation election tracker and local representative program. With over 20 election campaigns, he is enthusiastic about engaging more young people in public life. With a law degree and great research skills, he has been a valuable asset to the Young India Foundation.