Kirthi Jayakumar

2022-01-09T18:37:11Z

49.205.81.201:

{{short description|Indian women's rights activist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kirthi Jayakumar
| image = Kirthi Jayakumar.jpg
| caption = Self-portrait photograph
| birth_name = Kirthi Jayakumar
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|12|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Bangalore]], India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Peace and gender equality activist, author and artist
}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

'''Kirthi Jayakumar''' (born 15 December 1987) is a peace educator, a women, peace, and [[security practitioner]], lawyer and [[List of Indian writers|writer]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2017/jan/12/three-things-ive-learned-about-the-real-meaning-of-gender-equality|title=Three things I've learned about the real meaning of gender equality|last=Jayakumar|first=Kirthi|newspaper=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> She is a [[Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan|Commonwealth Scholar]], a [[Vital Voices]] (VV) Lead Fellow, a VV Engage Fellow, a Local Pathways Fellow, and a [[World Pulse]] Impact Leader. [[Kirthiga Reddy|Kirthi]] is also a [[Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts]].

She also founded The Gender Security Project, an initiative working at the cross section of gender, peace, security, feminist foreign policy, and transitional justice through research, reportage, and documentation. Previously, she founded [[The Red Elephant Foundation]], an initiative built on storytelling, civilian peace-building and activism for [[gender equality]].

==Biography==
Kirthi was born as Kirthi Jayakumar in [[Bangalore]], India, to Hindu parents. She studied law at the School of Excellence in Law, [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Bringing-change-from-Chennai-to-DC/article14424029.ece|title=Bringing change from Chennai to DC|last=Lazarus|first=Susanna Myrtle|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/legally-innovative/article2969833.ece|title=Legally innovative|last=SETH|first=KUHIKA|work=The Hindu|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref>

She earned her [[Master of Arts|MA]] in [[sustainable peace]] in a contemporary world from [[University for Peace|UPeace]], [[Costa Rica]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inspirationalwomenseries.org/2016/11/15/inspirational-woman-interview-kirthi-jayakumar|title=Inspirational Woman Interview: Kirthi Jayakumar|date=15 November 2016|website=Inspirational Women Series|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref> and an MA in [[peace and conflict studies]] from the Centre for Trust, Peace, and Security at [[Coventry University]], on a [[Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan|Commonwealth Scholarship]]. She has worked as a [[UN online volunteer]].<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|url=https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/blog/un-online-volunteer-kirthi-jayakumar|title=UN Online Volunteer Kirthi Jayakumar|website=Onlinevolunteering.org|language=en|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref>

==Gender-based violence advocacy and peace activism==
Kirthi is an activist on women's rights issues and peace and conflict. She formerly ran [[The Red Elephant Foundation]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Pulse|first=Kirthi Jayakumar|title=Why Telling Difficult Stories Is So Important|url=http://time.com/4433303/why-telling-difficult-stories-is-so-important|access-date=12 August 2016|website=TIME.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=26 September 2012|title=Creating a change|language=en-IN|newspaper=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/nxg/creating-a-change/article3938521.ece|access-date=12 August 2016|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Currently, she runs The Gender Security Project. She has worked in voluntary capacities with "16 civil societies and UN agencies"<ref name="ReferenceA" /> through the UN Online Volunteering program.<ref>{{cite web|date=22 February 2017|title=Startup World And Sexual Harassment: Bizarre Or Normal? Women Speak Out|url=http://shethepeople.tv/startup-world-and-sexual-harassment-bizarre-or-normal-women-speak-out|access-date=25 December 2017|website=Shethepeople.tv}}</ref> She is a [[columnist]] for the ''[[Deccan Chronicle/Asian Age]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deccan Chronicle/Asian Age|url=http://www.asianage.com/byline/kirthi-jayakumar|access-date=24 February 2017|website=Asianage.com}}</ref>

Kirthi is a Global [[Youth Ambassador]] with A World at School run by [[Sarah Jane Brown|Sarah Brown]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Global Youth Ambassador of the Month|work=Theirworld|url=http://theirworld.org/pages/gya-of-the-month|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=2017: an inspiring year of campaigning for children's rights by our Global Youth Ambassadors|work=Theirworld.org|url=http://theirworld.org/news/global-youth-ambassadors-2017-education-school-early-childhood|access-date=25 December 2017}}</ref>

Kirthi coded and created Saahas, a mobile app that supports survivors of gender-based violence world over to find support, and that facilitates active bystander intervention.<ref>{{Cite news|date=14 August 2017|title=A voice for the vulnerable|language=en|work=deccanchronicle.com/|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/140817/a-voice-for-the-vulnerable.html|access-date=14 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Apps that make women brave|work=The New Indian Express|url=http://cms.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/sep/12/apps-that-make-women-brave-1656204.html|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=21 August 2017|title=Why I Created The Saahas App For Survivors Of Gender Based Violence To Find Help|language=en-US|work=Women's Web: For Women Who Do|url=http://www.womensweb.in/2017/08/saahas-app-survivors-gbv-find-help/|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 August 2017|title=A voice for the vulnerable|language=en|work=deccanchronicle.com/|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/140817/a-voice-for-the-vulnerable.html|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Pocket aids keep you safe in dark alleys, at late hours – Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/pocket-aids-keep-you-safe-in-dark-alleys-at-late-hours/articleshow/60149606.cms|access-date=14 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=22 January 2020|title=This Gritty Chennai Woman Has Given 'Saahas' to 8000 Survivors of Sexual Violence|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/210537/chennai-woman-saahas-support-sexual-violence-inspiring-india-nor41/|access-date=9 December 2020|website=The Better India|language=en-US}}</ref> Saahas was listed on the [[Global Innovation Exchange]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=SAAHAS – The GBV (Gender Based Violence) Help Map|url=https://www.globalinnovationexchange.org/innovation/the-gbv-gender-based-violence-help-map|access-date=9 December 2020|website=GIE}}</ref> The app received recognition from DEF India under the [[SM4E Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=admin|title=Women Empowerment 2018|url=https://sm4e.org/women-empowerment-2018/|access-date=9 December 2020|website=Social Media for Empowerment Award for South Asia, DEF|language=en-US}}</ref> For her work with Saahas, Kirthi was listed on the shortlist for the WATC 100 Women in Tech List.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 October 2020|title=Kirthi Jayakumar {{!}} Saahas – TechWomen100 Shortlist|url=https://wearetechwomen.com/kirthi-jayakumar-saahas/|access-date=9 December 2020|website=WeAreTechWomen – Supporting Women in Technology|language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Saahasam|Saahas]] supports access to information and helplines through a mobile app, Facebook Chatbot, and Telegram Chatbot.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Pocket aids keep you safe in dark alleys, at late hours – Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/pocket-aids-keep-you-safe-in-dark-alleys-at-late-hours/articleshow/60149606.cms|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=14 August 2017|title=A voice for the vulnerable|work=deccanchronicle.com|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/140817/a-voice-for-the-vulnerable.html|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=21 August 2017|title=Why I Created The Saahas App For Survivors Of Gender Based Violence To Find Help|work=Women's Web: For Women Who Do|url=http://www.womensweb.in/2017/08/saahas-app-survivors-gbv-find-help/|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref>

She produced two e-Books on [[entrepreneurship]] in [[Africa]] with the [[AAE-1|AAE]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 November 2012|title=AAE's Team wins 2012 Volunteering Award – Association of African Entrepreneurs – About|url=http://www.aaeafrica.org/about/aaes-team-wins-2012-volunteering-award|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> and headed a team that worked for the opening of the first ever school in Okoijorogu, [[Nigeria]], a village that had never had a school for its children until 2013.<ref name="onlinevolunteering.org">{{Cite web|title=UN Online Volunteer Kirthi Jayakumar|url=https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/blog/un-online-volunteer-kirthi-jayakumar|access-date=12 August 2016|website=Onlinevolunteering.org}}</ref>

==Artist==
Kirthi is an artist, working on pen and ink to curate "[[Zen doodles]]."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/Zen-doodling-is-something-that-one-doesnt-have-to-learn/articleshow/52217898.cms?|title=Zen doodling is something that one doesn't have to 'learn' – Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=14 January 2017}}</ref> She uses doodling as a means to express her activism for gender equality and peace education.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://darshith0000.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/interview-with-kirthi-jayakumar/|title=Interview with Kirthi Jayakumar|last=Badiyani|first=Darshith|website=Smiles here & Smiles there|access-date=14 January 2017|date=26 November 2016}}</ref>

She used to run an Instagram-based project called ''[[Femcyclopaedia]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.womeninfluence.club/stories/Entrepreneur/kirthi-jayakumar/|title=Women Influence Community Forum|website=www.womeninfluence.club|language=en|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.fwdlife.in/crusading-for-peace-kirthi-jayakumar-is-storytelling-a-difference/amp|title=Crusading for Peace: Kirthi Jayakumar is Storytelling a Difference|date=28 March 2018|work=FWD Life {{!}} The Premium Lifestyle Magazine {{!}}|access-date=19 August 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819082907/https://www.fwdlife.in/crusading-for-peace-kirthi-jayakumar-is-storytelling-a-difference/amp|archive-date=19 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.asianage.com/life/more-features/161217/doodle-tribute-for-my-heroes.html|title=Doodle tribute for my heroes|date=16 December 2017|work=The Asian Age|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref> where she doodles portraits of inspiring women through the ages and from across the world and curates their stories under these portraits.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.womensweb.in/2017/12/femcylopaedia-immortalising-women-who-ought-to-be-remembered-dec17wk3|title=Femcylopaedia Is A Labour Of Love – Immortalising Women Who Ought To Be Remembered|date=17 December 2017|work=Women's Web: For Women Who Do|access-date=25 December 2017}}</ref> The story of ''Femcyclopaedia'' won a Story Award from World Pulse in February 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldpulse.com/en/voices-rising/stories/india-we-will-not-be-left-out-history#get-involved|title=INDIA: We Will Not Be Left Out of History|newspaper=World Pulse|access-date=24 February 2017}}</ref> Kirthi curated an exhibit for [[International Women's Day]] and Women's History Month at the [[US consulate|US Consulate]] General in Chennai as part of ''Femcyclopaedia''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/1597851273561724|title=Why Women Stories Matter|website=Facebook.com|access-date=17 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/1137885/Indulge-Chennai/17-03-2017#dual/1/1|title=Express Publications Indulge|access-date=20 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.trinitymirror.net/news/us-consulate-hosts-meet-women-stories-matter|title=US consulate hosts meet on 'Why women stories matter'|work=Trinity Mirror|access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref>

In 2021, Kirthi set up an Instagram-based art project called ''A Girl and A Galaxy'' where she dabbles in [[Space art|Astronomical Art]].

==Writer==
''Stories of Hope'' is Kirthi's first solo book, comprising a collection of short stories. She co-authored a book titled [[Love Me Mama|Love Me Mama:]] The Unfavoured Child, along with Elsie Ijorogu-Reed, the founder of [[DeltaWomen|Delta Women NGO]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theindieview.com/2013/07/28/indieview-with-elsie-ijorogu-reed-author-of-love-me-mama-the-unfavored-child/%27|title=IndieView with Elsie Ijorogu-Reed, author of Love Me Mama: The Unfavored Child|last=admin|date=28 July 2013|website=The IndieView|language=en-US|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref> She is also the author of The Dove's Lament, published by [[Readomania]]. The book was nominated for the [[Muse India]] Young Author's Award in 2015.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://scroll.in/article/770893/a-readers-guide-to-the-six-books-in-the-running-for-the-muse-india-young-writer-award|title=A reader's guide to the six books in the running for the Muse India Young Writer Award|last=Mazumdar|first=Arunima|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> A review by Femina of The Dove's Lament suggests that, "Kirthi embroiders a tapestry of unvanquished [[human spirit]] in words."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/thedoveslament/photos/a.1670679183161388.1073741828.1670506926511947/1722490607980245/?type=3&theater|title=The Dove's Lament|website=Facebook.com|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref>

The ''[[Times of India]]'' reviewed The Dove's Lament, with its critic opining that "...''[[The Dove's Lament]]'' takes the reader to several such places with a compassion that shakes you to your very core."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/books/features/review-the-doves-lament-an-anthology/articleshow/58162132.cms|title=Review: The Dove's Lament (An Anthology)|work=The Times of India|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref>

==Theatre==
Kirthi wrote a play, ''Frankly Speaking'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/remembering-anne-frank/article18686108.ece|title=Remembering Anne Frank|work=The Hindu|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/chennai/events/frankly-speaking-an-evening-of-immersive-theatre|title=Frankly Speaking An Evening of Immersive Theatre|website=Timeout.com|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> which, essentially starts off from where ''[[The Diary of Anne Frank]]'' ends. The play channels the voices of eight young women from conflict zones in different parts of the world, and is interspersed with passages from ''[[The Diary of Anne Frank]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chennaiyil.com/event/item/frankly-speaking-an-evening-of-immersive-theatre-thousand-lights|title=Frankly Speaking An Evening of Immersive Theatre|work=Chennaiyil|access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/frankly-speaking-chennai-to-get-a-feel-of-war-stories/articleshow/59073267.cms|title=Frankly speaking, Chennai to get a feel of war stories|newspaper=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu/20170614/282741996783807|title=Connecting People Through News|website=Pressreader.com|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref>

She also wrote and acted in ''HerStory'', which brings twelve women from history alive through poetry, performed through contemporary dance in sync with spoken word poetry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/theater/2017/sep/08/in-a-dance-state-of-mind-3426.html|title=In a dance state of mind|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=10 September 2017}}</ref> Kirthi wrote a monologue and performed it as part of Dolls, by Crea-Shakthi.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://lbb.in/chennai/celebrating-shakti-festival-chennai|title=Self Defense Workshops, Performances & Navaratri Tales At This Festival|work=LBB|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref>

Kirthi also lent her voice to the audiobook version of [[Like a Girl in Love|"Like A Girl]]" by Aparna Jain, where she narrated the stories of Justice [[Leila Seth]], [[Mayawati]], [[Jayalalithaa]], [[Dipa Karmakar]], Shah Bano Begum, [[Tessy Thomas]], and [[Gauri Sawant]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/audible-celebrates-international-womens-day/article26467840.ece|title=Audible India celebrates International Women's Day|last=Venkatesa|first=Nikhil|date=8 March 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=9 March 2019|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Public speaking==
In October 2016, Kirthi delivered a [[TED (conference)|TEDx]] Talk at TEDxChennai, addressing her work around peace education as a solution to end bullying.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/life-lessons-from-an-oarsman-and-a-cheeky-writer/article9258681.ece|title=Life lessons from an oarsman and a cheeky writer|date=23 October 2016|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line|access-date=24 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/of-friendship-social-media-and-loneliness/article9259786.ece|title=Of friendship, social media and loneliness|author=Staff Reporter|newspaper=The Hindu|issn=0971-751X|access-date=24 October 2016}}</ref> In November 2017, she delivered a TEDx Talk at TEDxChoice, addressing her art project, ''Femcyclopaedia''.<ref>{{Citation|last=TEDx Talks|title=Chasing Change by Owning My Truth {{!}} Kirthi Jayakumar {{!}} TEDxChoiceSchool|date=26 July 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBRdnW5ra1A|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref>

In November 2016, she delivered a talk at the National Edu-Start Up Conference in Pune, talking about Peace Education as a sustainable solution to create well rounded citizens.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Tushar-Gandhi-not-happy-with-Indian-education-system/articleshow/55605715.cms|title=Tushar Gandhi not happy with Indian education system|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>

Kirthi was a speaker at Lakshya-SSN's annual event, SYCON, speaking about her work with [[The Red Elephant Foundation]] and the curation of the GBV Help Map.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2017/mar/29/lakshya-of-ssn-to-inspire-youth-1587064.html|title=Lakshya of SSN, to inspire youth|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=14 April 2017}}</ref> She was the keynote speaker at SRM Aarambh, speaking about her story as a social entrepreneur in the Gender Equality space.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.srmaarambh.com|title=aarambh|website=Srmaarambh.com|access-date=14 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415201210/https://www.srmaarambh.com/|archive-date=15 April 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2017, Kirthi addressed the Rotary Club of Madras South on the topic "Women's Empowerment: Myths and Realities."<ref>{{Citation|last=Asha Marina S|title=Ms Kirthi Jayakumar profile|date=14 April 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnLIchD5FIM|access-date=14 April 2017}}</ref> She spoke at the [[The Economic Times|Economic Times]] Women's Summit in March 2018, on her work with her app, Saahas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://etwomensforum.com/kirthi-jayakumar/|title=Kirthi Jayakumar – ET Women's Forum|language=en-GB|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>

Kirthi was a speaker at ISFiT 2019 alongside [[Tawakkol Karman]] and [[Gro Harlem Brundtland]], addressing women and peacebuilding.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adressa.no/pluss/nyheter/2019/01/16/En-fredsprisvinner-og-en-tidligere-statsminister-p%C3%A5-samme-scene-p%C3%A5-Isfit-18243136.ece|title=En fredsprisvinner og en tidligere statsminister på samme scene på Isfit|date=16 January 2019|website=www.adressa.no|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.isfit.org/event/voices-of-change-women-in-peacebuilding|title=ISFiT|website=www.isfit.org|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref> In March 2021, Kirthi spoke at a special session convened by the President of the UN General Assembly on Political Leadership and Violence Against Women and Girls: Prevention First (23 March 2021).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Political Leadership and Violence Against Women and Girls: Prevention First (23 March 2021) {{!}} General Assembly of the United Nations|url=https://www.un.org/pga/75/political-leadership-and-violence-against-women/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=www.un.org}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
Kirthi is the recipient of the United States Presidential Service Award from US Consul General Jennifer McIntyre.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=2012 Chennai Press Releases|url=http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/chpr20121217.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816181812/http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/chpr20121217.html|archive-date=16 August 2016|access-date=12 August 2016|website=Chennai.usconsulate.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/us-award-for-writer/article4211806.ece|title=U.S. award for writer|date=18 December 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|issn=0971-751X|access-date=11 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/activist-wins-us-prize-for-work-on-womens-rights/articleshow/17657981.cms|title=Activist wins US prize for work on women's rights|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=11 October 2016}}</ref> She won the Gold, Silver and Bronze awards. She received two United Nations Online Volunteering Awards, in 2012 and 2013, for her work with Delta Women and the Association for African Entrepreneurs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Volunteers|first=United Nations|title=United Nations Volunteers: Online Volunteers honoured for their 'outstanding' contributions to peace and sustainable development|url=http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/online-volunteers-honoured-for-2.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010071259/http://www.unv.org/en/news-resources/news/doc/online-volunteers-honoured-for-2.html|archive-date=10 October 2016|access-date=12 August 2016|website=Unv.org}}</ref>

In 2015, Kirthi was nominated for the Digital Women Awards 2015, presented by She The People TV.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shethepeople.tv/meet-the-burgundy-achievers-at-the-digital-women-awards|title=Meet the Burgundy Achievers at the Digital Women Awards|website=Shethepeople.tv|access-date=11 October 2016|date=24 November 2015}}</ref>

In March 2016, she was one of the EU top 200 Women in the World of Development Wall of Fame. She was also one of the nominated changemakers for the United State of Women 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/kirthi-jayakumar-and-the-united-state-of-women-bringing-change-from-chennai-to-dc/article8732517.ece|title=Bringing change from Chennai to DC|date=15 June 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|issn=0971-751X|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref> She is a two-time story award winner with [[World Pulse]], and her work has been picked up and published by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time Magazine]]''.<ref name=":2"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://time.com/4354927/india-avoiding-catcalls-female|title=What Happened When I Tried to Dress to Avoid Catcalls|last=Pulse|first=Kirthi Jayakumar/World|website=TIME.com|access-date=12 August 2016}}</ref>

Kirthi has been acknowledged by ''[[India Today Group|India Today]]'' as one of the "Game changers" in the city of Chennai, "who are transforming the city with inspiring thought and hard work."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/the-game-changers-sofia-ashraf-sriram-ayer-shravan-krishnan-arun-krishnamurthy/1/743953.html|title=The game changers|access-date=20 August 2016}}</ref>

She was the youngest speaker to address a gathering at FICCI FLO, [[Chennai]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ficciflo.com/events/women-empowerment-talk-ms-kirthi-jayakumar|title=Women, Empowerment & Me – A Talk by Ms.Kirthi Jayakumar|newspaper=FICCI FLO|access-date=23 January 2017}}</ref>

In September 2016, Kirthi was a shortlistee for the [[Rising Stars Award]] 2016 by We are the City India,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wearethecity.in/kirthi-jayakumar-red-elephant-foundation|title=Rising Stars Award 2016 Shortlist|access-date=28 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001080106/http://wearethecity.in/kirthi-jayakumar-red-elephant-foundation/|archive-date=1 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> which she went onto win. In October 2016, she was recognized as one of the "52 Feminists" by 52Feminists.com.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.52feminists.com/kirthi|title=52 Feminists|website=52 Feminists|access-date=11 October 2016}}</ref>

In October 2016, Kirthi was recognized as a Burgundy Achiever at the Digital Women Awards 2016, presented by She The People TV.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://shethepeople.tv/meet-the-digital-women-awards-burgundy-achievers/|title=Announcing The Digital Women Awards' Burgundy Achievers|newspaper=SheThePeople TV|access-date=18 November 2016}}</ref>
She received the Peace Award from the Global Peace Initiative in November 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pocketpressrelease.com/2016/11/A-message-of-universal-peace-unity-and-harmony--by-WeSchool-on-the-eve-of-26-11.html|title=A message of universal peace, unity and harmony by WeSchool on the eve of 26/11|website=Pocketpressrelease.com|access-date=26 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thecsrjournal.in/CsrPages/ViewContent/1386?pageName=HM|title=HOME|website=Thecsrjournal.in|access-date=23 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202025836/http://thecsrjournal.in/CsrPages/ViewContent/1386?pageName=HM|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was selected as an Impact Leader at World Pulse in November 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldpulse.com/en/changemakers|title=Changemakers|newspaper=World Pulse|access-date=30 November 2016}}</ref> She won the Orange Flower Award for Video Blogging, awarded by Women's Web.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://orangeflowerawards.in/finalists|title=Finalists – Orange Flower Awards|website=Orangeflowerawards.in|access-date=30 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231075039/http://orangeflowerawards.in/finalists/|archive-date=31 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/womensweb/photos/ms.c.eJxFkdsRRCEIQzvaAeTZf2OrcI1~_OWeSEJSl9uGMtUyl7McDQoiEKgKAB~_QFFe4ZzgBZrXCCgieUAbQtcoGQtCJhiTVTHJYBBhCToQiNbLDQNHmAfqCYNvCiu1zlKbaMbkZZV~_ciKOwotAIgBiAjOjQVwGQyYLHVCpcLajLyWbx7iGNKteUB1w59ln7T3QPVfTIYlpix~_sZOMUOxiFl~;h~_7XJdpXOsWrLihtYE~;Bo8gLvHvw~_coPrAaMjL3F7qFrXXD~_dmeE~;wEH24Cv.bps.a.1299991676687648.1073741900.154514751235352/1299991710020978/?type=3&theater|title=The Orange Flower Awards by Women's Web|website=Facebook.com|access-date=7 January 2017}}</ref> Kirthi was featured in [[Sarah Jane Brown|Sarah Brown]]'s Better Angels Podcast alongside UN Secretary General [[António Guterres|Antonio Guterres]], [[Harriet Lamb]], and [[Jakaya Kikwete]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theirworld.org/voices/sarah-brown-podcast-peacebuilding-antonio-guterres-harriet-lamb-jakaya-kikwete-kirthi-jayakumar|title=We need a whole new approach … we need to do far more to prevent war and sustain peace|last=Theirworld|date=14 February 2019|website=Theirworld|language=en|access-date=14 February 2019}}</ref>

Kirthi was featured on Google's WomenWill Landing page on International Women's Day, 2017, as part of a five-women-stories feature by World Pulse.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://posts.google.com/share/68uOh5mg|title=Google WomenWill|access-date=8 June 2017}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> She was declared as one of "eleven of India's feminist bloggers who are making a difference to women's lives" by Women's Web.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.womensweb.in/2017/05/11-indian-feminist-bloggers-making-a-difference-to-womens-lives|title=These 11 Indian Feminist Bloggers Are Making A Difference To Women's Lives Through Digital Feminism|website=Women's Web: For Women Who Do|date=11 May 2017}}</ref> She was featured on ''Show of Force: Social Good''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://showofforce.com/digital-innovator-using-mobile-app-technology-to-combat-gender-based-violence|title=Digital Innovator Using Mobile App Technology to Combat Gender-Based Violence – Show of Force|access-date=10 May 2017|work=Show of Force}}</ref> She was awarded Outstanding [[Social entrepreneurship|Social Entrepreneur]] (NGO) of the Year, by FICCI FLO Chennai (2018)<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://view7media.com/ficci-flo-women-achievers-awards-2018-chennai/|title=FICCI FLO Women Achievers Awards 2018|date=1 March 2018|work=View7media|access-date=2 March 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Kirthi received the Heroes of Chennai Award in the Social Good category in November 2018.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://www.heroesofchennai.com/|title=Heroes of Chennai – Real Heroes of Chennai|website=www.heroesofchennai.com|access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref> She also served as a member of the youth council as part of the Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theirworld.org/voices/young-leaders-help-efforts-to-match-youth-skills-to-jobs-of-tomorrow|title=We need to listen to youth needs now to equip them with the skills they need in the future|last=Theirworld|date=8 December 2018|website=Theirworld|language=en|access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref> She was nominated for the Better India's COVID Soldiers award in September 2020,<ref>{{Cite web|title=TheBetterIndia|url=https://www.facebook.com/thebetterindia/photos/a.10151330860254594/10158707101604594/?type=3|access-date=31 October 2020|website=www.facebook.com|language=en}}</ref> and the We are the City TechWomen100 Awards for Global Achievement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=We Are the City|title=TechWomen100 Awards Global Award for Achievement 2020|url=https://wearetechwomen.com/techwomen100-awards-global-award-for-achievement-shortlist-2020/|url-status=live|archive-date=31 October 2020|access-date=31 October 2020|website=We are the City}}</ref> She was also listed as one of the 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy in 2021 by Apolitical.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Apolitical's 100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy|url=https://apolitical.co/list/en/gender-equality-100|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Apolitical|language=en}}</ref>

===List of awards received===
* US Presidential Services Medal (Gold, Silver and Bronze) 2011–2012<ref name=":0" />
* UN Online Volunteer of the Year Award (Delta Women) 2012<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.undp.org/content/dam/kenya/docs/UNV/Press_Release_Online_Volunteering_Award_2012%20E%20pdf%20(2).pdf|title=UNDP Press Release|last=Online Volunteering Award|access-date=8 June 2017}}</ref>
* UN Online Volunteer of the Year Award (Association of African Entrepreneurs) 2012<ref name=":5"/>
* UN Online Volunteer of the Year Award (Delta Women) 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/blog/delta-women-team|title=Delta Women Team|website=Onlinevolunteering.org|language=en|access-date=31 January 2017}}</ref>
* UN Online Volunteer of the Year Award (Association of African Entrepreneurs) 2013<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/blog/association-african-entrepreneurs-team|title=Association of African Entrepreneurs Team|website=Onlinevolunteering.org|language=en|access-date=31 January 2017}}</ref>
* Finalist, [[Muse India]] Young Author's Award in 2015.<ref name=":4" />
* Rising Stars of India Award (We Are The City India) 2016<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://risingstars.wearethecity.com/kirthi-jayakumar-red-elephant-foundation/|title=Kirthi Jayakumar {{!}} The Red Elephant Foundation|date=26 September 2016|website=WeAreTheCity Rising Star Awards|language=en-US|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
* The Peace Award (Global Peace Initiative) 2016<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.welingkar.org/index.php/campus-corner/events-happenings/a-message-of-universal-peace-unity-and-harmony-by-weschool-on-the-eve-of-2611|title=A message of universal peace, unity and harmony by WeSchool on the eve of 26/11 {{!}} Beyond the Walls – Welingkar Blog|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
* Orange Flower Award for Video Blogging, Orange Flower Awards, (Women's Web), 2016<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.womensweb.in/orange-flower-awards/|title=The Orange Flower Awards|website=Women's Web: For Women Who Do|language=en|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
*Local Pathways Fellow (UN SDSN), 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://localpathways.org/2017-fellows|title=2017 Fellows|website=LOCAL PATHWAYS|language=en-US|access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref>
* Social Entrepreneur of the Year, 2017 (Brew Magazine)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gobeyondpink.com/blogdetail/kirthi-jayakumar--the-peacemaker/2|title=Kirthi Jayakumar – The Peacemaker Fighting Against Bullying|last=Gobeyondpink|website=gobeyondpink.com|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
* Young Achiever (Entrepreneurship) MOP Yuva Samman (2017–2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/jan/05/mop-honours-three-women-achievers-with-yuva-samman-1745756.html|title=MOP honours three women achievers with Yuva Samman|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
* Outstanding Social Entrepreneur (NGO) of the Year, FICCI FLO Chennai (2018)<ref name=":6" />
* Nominee, True Honour Awards, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ikwro.org.uk/2018/03/honour-awards-2018/|title=True Honour Awards 2018|website=IKWRO|language=en-US|access-date=12 March 2018}}</ref>
* Outstanding Woman Achiever Award 2018, FICCI FLO, Jaipur (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ficciflo.com/events/flo-acheivers-award-change-guard-ceremony/|title=FLO {{sic|Ach|eivers|nolink=y}} Award & Change of Guard Ceremony|website=FICCI FLO|language=en-US|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
*Vital Voices VV Engage Fellow (2018)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/people/kirthi-jayakumar/|title=Kirthi Jayakumar – Vital Voices|work=Vital Voices|access-date=20 October 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Heroes of Chennai – Social Good (Rising) (2018)<ref name=":7" />
*HerStory Woman on a Mission Award (March 2019)
*Web Wonder Woman (Ministry of Women and Child Development, Twitter India and Breakthrough India) (March 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187372|title=Women and Child Development Ministry launches "Web- Wonder Women" Campaign|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref>
*CII-IWN Award for Unsung Heroes, March 2019
*Best Feminist Voice, The Lifestyle Journal Awards, August 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thelifestylejournalist.in/the-biggest-confluence-of-bloggers-social-media-influencers-in-india/|title=The Biggest Confluence of Bloggers & Social Media Influencers in India -|date=14 September 2019|language=en-US|access-date=12 January 2020}}</ref>
*The TIAW World of a Difference Award, October 2020<ref>{{Cite web|last=TIAW|first=|date=|title=2020 TIAW Awardees|url=https://tiaw.org/resources/Documents/2020%20TIAW%20AWARDEE%20Narrative_Stories%20Final%20V2.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}}</ref>
*The World Pulse Spirit Award (Champion), February 2021

== Writing==

===Books===

* ''Game Changers: Untold Stories Of Indian Feminists From The Past And The Present'' (Hay House India, 2020)
* ''The Doodler of Dimashq'' (Readomania, 2017)
* ''The Dove's Lament'' (Readomania, 2015)
* ''Stories of Hope'' (Maitreya, 2013)

===Chapters===

* ''Mother of the Nations'' (Demeter Press, Contributor, 2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://demeterpress.org/books/mothers-of-the-nations-indigenous-mothering-as-global-resistance-reclaiming-and-recovery/|title=Demeter Press {{!}} Mothers of the Nations: Indigenous Mothering as Global Resistance, Reclaiming and Recovery|language=en|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>
*''Routledge Handbook of South Asian Criminology'' (Routledge, Contributor, 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-Handbook-of-South-Asian-Criminology-1st-Edition/Jaishankar/p/book/9781482260458|title=Routledge Handbook of South Asian Criminology: 1st Edition (Hardback) – Routledge|website=Routledge.com|language=en|access-date=4 February 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of peace activists]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jayakumar, Kirthi}}
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Kirthi Jayakumar