APCF | Women Empowerment Initiatives (Since 1996)
Vision
To empower women through culture, education, leadership, and dignity—using Indian music as a powerful tool for social transformation.
Mission
To create sustainable opportunities, nurture confidence and capability, and enable women to become leaders, creators, and change-makers across society.
Women Empowerment Initiatives – Impact Overview
Focus area: Artistic Leadership & Gender Equality
- India’s first all-female Indian classical & fusion ensemble (founded in 1996)
- 27+ years of mentoring women musicians
- 100+ women artists empowered
- Performances across India, UK, Europe, Australia & Asia—promoting inclusivity & cultural diplomacy
Focus area: Girl Child Education & Social Awareness
- Brand Ambassador for Govt. of India initiative
- Inspired 1 lakh+ villagers in Sangli, Maharashtra (International Yoga Day)
- Outreach through performances & talks in rural Maharashtra & urban institutions
Focus area: National Awareness & Women’s Leadership
- Official anthem written & composed by Anuradha Pal for the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India
- Released in New Delhi; used across national platforms, campaigns & public events
Focus area: Emotional Wellbeing & Confidence Building
- Music-based wellness workshops for students, educators & corporates
- Conducted across Mumbai, Delhi, Dehradun, Haridwar, Mussoorie
- Improved focus, creativity & emotional resilience in thousands of participants
Focus area: Healing, Positivity & Global Outreach
- 64 consecutive days of free online teaching from Mumbai
- 1,800+ minutes of sessions
- Participants from India, USA, UK, Europe, Australia & Asia
Focus area: Financial Aid & Survival Support
- Online fundraiser supporting musicians, artisans & instrument makers
- Direct bank transfers across 20+ states (incl. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, UP, MP, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab)
- Benefitted thousands during the lockdown
Focus area: Humanitarian Support for Women
- Food ration kits & medical aid for widowed, abandoned & elderly women
- Implemented in Barmer & Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) and Bhil tribal villages near Udaipur
- Blankets, nutrition & healthcare during extreme crises
Focus area: Recognition & Opportunity
- Instituted in Mumbai; awarded by Union Education Minister in New Delhi
- Honoured young girls from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh & Maharashtra (International Day of the Girl Child)
Focus area: Leadership & Mindset Building
- Lectures, performances & mentorship at IITs, IIMs, NMIMS, Ruia College (Mumbai), Sri Agrasen Kanya PG College (Varanasi)
- TEDx talks in Delhi, Mumbai, Vadodara
- Thousands of young women inspired nationwide
| Initiative | Year Launched | Focus Area | Key Impact, Cities & Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stree Shakti | 1996 | Artistic Leadership & Gender Equality |
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| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Advocacy | 2017 | Girl Child Education & Social Awareness |
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| Nari Shakti Anthem | 2019 | National Awareness & Women’s Leadership |
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| Workshops of Wellness (WOW™) | 2018 | Emotional Wellbeing & Confidence Building |
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| Online Music & Spiritual Teaching (COVID) | Mar–May 2020 | Healing, Positivity & Global Outreach |
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| Kala Ke Sangh – COVID Relief | July 2020 | Financial Aid & Survival Support |
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| Stree Shakti URJA Relief Program | 2020–2022 | Humanitarian Support for Women |
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| Padmashri M. T. Vyas Stree Shakti Award | Oct 2020 | Recognition & Opportunity |
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| Education & Mentorship Programs | 1996–Present | Leadership & Mindset Building |
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Flagship Initiatives:
Four high-impact women-led initiatives — spanning cultural leadership, humanitarian relief, recognition, and public advocacy — each with a quick summary and a short video.
India’s first all-female Indian classical & fusion ensemble (founded in Mumbai), created to provide opportunity, confidence and visibility for women musicians. Over 27+ years, it has mentored and platformed 100+ women artists across Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata — taking women-led cultural excellence from local roots to global stages through performances across India, the UK, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Women-focused humanitarian support for widowed, abandoned, elderly and destitute women — essentials, nutrition and medical help during acute crises.
- Feb 2021: Warm blankets distributed to over 200 houses in Kasniyawad village near Udaipur, with medical relief support for poor children and women from the Bhil community.
- COVID second wave: Food ration & groceries kits delivered to 50 poor, disabled, widowed or elderly women across 12+ villages (via local teams around Barmer, Rajasthan).
- Nov 2020: Food rations sent to 20 families from the Bhopa community around Jaisalmer for Diwali essentials.
Instituted to encourage young girls in Indian music/dance and social service, in memory of Padmashri M. T. Vyas.
- Instituted: Mumbai (Oct 2020).
- Awarded: By then Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ in New Delhi.
- At the same event, the book The Teacher and the Taught (by Shri M. T. Vyas), edited by noted painter and writer Ila Pal, was released.
- 2021: Presented to 4 young girls from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra on the International Day of the Girl Child.
Advocacy for girls’ education and gender equality through performance-led public engagement and institutional outreach.
- Role: Brand Ambassador for the Government of India initiative (since 2017).
- 2017 outreach: Inspired 1 lakh+ villagers in Sangli, Maharashtra on International Yoga Day through a performance-led programme.
- Further talks and performances at TEDx (Delhi, Mumbai, Vadodara) and institutions including IIT, IIM, NMIMS, Ruia College (Mumbai), Sri Agrasen Kanya PG College (Varanasi), and Rebel Girls Interactive (Delhi).
Key Highlights (At a Glance)
- Founded: 1996 (Mumbai)
- Years of impact: 27+ years
- Core focus: Women empowerment through culture
- Approach: Music, education, humanitarian aid & leadership
- Reach: Grassroots villages → national institutions → global platforms
- Geographic impact: 20+ Indian states + international audiences
APCF’s Empowerment Framework
Culture → Confidence → Capability → Change
- Culture as identity, dignity & strength
- Confidence through opportunity & recognition
- Capability through mentoring, education & exposure
- Change through leadership, self-reliance & service
Why APCF Stands Apart
- Women-led, culture-rooted foundation
- Proven impact since 1996
- Combines art, activism & action
- Emergency relief + long-term empowerment
- Credibility built through consistency, scale & integrity
Stree Shakti (1996)
India’s first all-female Indian classical & fusion ensemble—created to build confidence, opportunity, and visibility for women musicians, and to take women-led cultural excellence from local roots to global stages.
Partner with APCF
For workshops, CSR partnerships, volunteering, or program support, reach out to collaborate with APCF’s women empowerment initiatives.
Contact Music with Purpose EPK