To create a world where every girl has the opportunity to realise her full potential and lead a life of dignity and independence.
To empower underprivileged girls by addressing their holistic needs and breaking barriers to safety, healthcare, education, and self-reliance.
In a largely male-dominated society, hundreds and thousands of girls are trapped in cycles of poverty, denied access to education, and opportunities to realise their potential.
At empowerHER, we don’t just provide resources, we create pathways to independence by walking alongside each girl from the time she comes onboard until she is ready to thrive on her own.
We do this by taking care of every aspect of the girl’s needs:
Provide a safe space for every girl and conduct awareness programs that champion equality and respect for women in society
Help underprivileged girls manage their mental and emotional health while providing access to quality healthcare
Remove every societal, personal, and educational barriers to ensure every girl receives a quality education
Inspire growth by introducing girls to literature, art, music, dance, and sports for holistic personality development
Provide vocational training and soft skills development to enhance employability and build a secure future
Guide girls until they achieve financial independence and can support themselves and their families
This is our flagship program that aims to level the academic playing field that is often uneven for underprivileged girls.
Through structured learning of English and foundational concepts of mathematics and science, the program addresses gaps that quietly hold many girls back. It ensures no underprivileged girl from our program is left behind, neither in the classroom nor in a conversation or in life.
The aim is simple yet transformative, to give every girl the ability to understand, express and compete so that her dreams are shaped by her potential, and not her circumstances.
Some girls begin their journeys with burdens that are not of their making, be it physical, mental, or financial. These are not small obstacles. They are defining ones.
Hirkani exists at these fault lines. It steps in where continuity is at risk, when education, aspiration or independence may be forced to pause or end. The support is timely, deliberate and grounded in respect.
The program does not attempt to remove every challenge. It ensures that these challenges do not decide the outcome. That a girl continues. That she moves forward with dignity and strength.
Sport has the power to shape identity, discipline and belief. But access to sport is not equally distributed.
Women in Sports supports underprivileged girls who seek to pursue sport seriously, providing the structure, exposure and continuity required to compete. It recognises talent early and ensures it is not lost to circumstance.
Because the difference between potential and performance is often access. This program exists to close that gap, so that a girl’s ambition in sport is not limited by what she lacks but realised through what she is capable of becoming.
Your support can create life-changing opportunities for underprivileged girls, helping them break free from the cycle of poverty and build a future filled with hope and independence. At empowerHER, every contribution matters, and there are many ways you can make a difference.
Your generosity fuels our programs, providing girls with education, healthcare, skills, and a safe environment to thrive. Every rupee counts towards transforming lives.
Beneficiaries with the Chief Guest, Padma Vibhushan Dr Raghunath Mashelkar and the empowerHER Team at the launch of the Hirkani Project
Piyusha Pandav during the eye checkup that was organised for all beneficiaries by Dr Ashwini Mahajan
Our visually impaired beneficiary, Shravani Bobade during her blood test organised by Dr. Amol Rajhans at the Janakalyan Raktapedhi’s Path Lab
Aaradhya Thakur during her medical check-up done by Dr. Ashish Dhongade
Our visually impaired beneficiary, Shravani Bobade during her dental check-up done by Dr. Rohit Behere
Ar. Rhutuja Shrikhande conducting a Ganpati idol making workshop for our beneficiaries
Senior Bharatnatyam exponent, Amita Godbole, handing over a cheque for INR 50,000 raised through her dance recital to our Trustees
The staff from the Command Hospital, Pune conducting a workshop on menstrual hygiene for our beneficiaries who also received a year’s supply of sanitary pads
Our beneficiaries at one of the academic interventions led by our Academic Director and senior pedagogy expert and educator, Priya Pethe
Our beneficiaries participating in the Suryanamaskar training session led by senior Yoga teacher, Amita Godbole
Our beneficiaries attending a lecture on healthy eating by noted nutritionist, Rucha Deshpande
Our hearing-impaired beneficiary, Shreya Ubale receiving a hearing aid at the hands of renowned audiometrist, Dr Kalyani Mandke. This device, coupled with a smart phone we bought her, Shreya can now learn using online tools
International tennis star Jennifer Luikham donating clothes and books to our beneficiary Payal Adhalage
Our volunteer, Col. Anand Pathak (retd.) with the Pandav family during the mandatory home visit that is done before a beneficiary is onboarded
Our Women In Sports beneficiary, Chandana Potugari, seeded 28 in India, receiving brand new shoes and a racket at the hands of former Davis Cupper and Arjuna Awardee, Sandeep Kirtane
Beneficiaries and parents at the talk on Women’s Role in Sustainability by renowned ecologist, Dr Gurudas Nulkar
Beneficiaries with the Chief Guest, Padma Vibhushan Dr Raghunath Mashelkar and the empowerHER Team at the launch of the Hirkani Project
Piyusha Pandav during the eye checkup that was organised for all beneficiaries by Dr Ashwini Mahajan
Our visually impaired beneficiary, Shravani Bobade during her blood test organised by Dr. Amol Rajhans at the Janakalyan Raktapedhi’s Path Lab
Aaradhya Thakur during her medical check-up done by Dr. Ashish Dhongade
Our visually impaired beneficiary, Shravani Bobade during her dental check-up done by Dr. Rohit Behere
Ar. Rhutuja Shrikhande conducting a Ganpati idol making workshop for our beneficiaries
Senior Bharatnatyam exponent, Amita Godbole, handing over a cheque for INR 50,000 raised through her dance recital to our Trustees
The staff from the Command Hospital, Pune conducting a workshop on menstrual hygiene for our beneficiaries who also received a year’s supply of sanitary pads
Our beneficiaries at one of the academic interventions led by our Academic Director and senior pedagogy expert and educator, Priya Pethe
Our beneficiaries participating in the Suryanamaskar training session led by senior Yoga teacher, Amita Godbole
Our beneficiaries attending a lecture on healthy eating by noted nutritionist, Rucha Deshpande
Our hearing-impaired beneficiary, Shreya Ubale receiving a hearing aid at the hands of renowned audiometrist, Dr Kalyani Mandke. This device, coupled with a smart phone we bought her, Shreya can now learn using online tools
International tennis star Jennifer Luikham donating clothes and books to our beneficiary Payal Adhalage
Our volunteer, Col. Anand Pathak (retd.) with the Pandav family during the mandatory home visit that is done before a beneficiary is onboarded
Our Women In Sports beneficiary, Chandana Potugari, seeded 28 in India, receiving brand new shoes and a racket at the hands of former Davis Cupper and Arjuna Awardee, Sandeep Kirtane
Beneficiaries and parents at the talk on Women’s Role in Sustainability by renowned ecologist, Dr Gurudas Nulkar
Sandeep Nulkar is a visionary entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in management and executive roles. As the Founder of empowerHER, Sandeep brings his passion for social impact and deep commitment to women’s empowerment. He believes that every girl deserves the chance to thrive and works tirelessly to create sustainable solutions that address the root causes of inequality. His leadership ensures empowerHER remains focused on its mission to break the cycle of poverty for underprivileged girls.
Nipun Dharmadhikari is a renowned theatre personality, filmmaker and actor. With his background in the performing arts and community engagement, Nipun plays a pivotal role in shaping empowerHER’s cultural and educational programs. His creative approach to problem-solving and unwavering dedication to empowering young women make him an invaluable asset to the team. Nipun believes in the transformative power of education and the arts, which he incorporates into empowerHER’s initiatives.
Rushikesh Atre is a seasoned finance professional who oversees the foundation’s financial planning and resource management, ensuring transparency and efficiency at every step. His strategic acumen plays a pivotal role in scaling programs and optimising resources, allowing empowerHER to support more girls on their journey to independence. Rushikesh’s commitment to financial excellence is the backbone of the foundation’s ability to create sustainable, long-term change for underprivileged girls.
Tanmayee Khire brings unparalleled dedication and expertise to empowerHER’s mission. As a skilled program strategist, she ensures that our initiatives support girls holistically. Tanmayee’s empathetic leadership and focus on impact are instrumental in helping underprivileged girls rise above adversity, gain independence, and create brighter futures for themselves and their families. Her relentless commitment is central to empowerHER’s goal of transforming lives and fostering community-wide progress.
Priya Pethe is a senior pedagogy expert, educator, and facilitator with a proven track record of driving meaningful learning outcomes at scale. As the founder of the Science For All Foundation, she built and scaled a large-scale education initiative in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation and leading institutions, where she designed and implemented a teacher-residency model to strengthen STEM teaching in public schools, impacting over 4,000 students and training over 200 educators. Today, as Academic Director, she leads and shapes our flagship Pathshālā Plus Program, bringing rigour, depth and purpose to its design and delivery.
© empowerHER 2026
