In line with the AVPN South Asia Summit held in Mumbai, India in December 2023, a few Asia Gender Network members were invited for a site visit to meet and discuss gender equality practices in India and Bangladesh.

The gathering was held in Worli Koliwada, a cozy urban village set against the backdrop of Mumbai’s ever-changing skyline. Perched on the northern tip of the Worli peninsula, it is home to the original inhabitants of Mumbai: the Kolis. As such, the Koliwada is rich in heritage, preserving its age-old customs and traditions. Dotted with jetties, temples, dargahs, and a church, it’s a unique melting pot of cultures.

In the past two years, the RPG Foundation has been working with the government and the local community on the Koliwada Transformation project. The aim is to revive the site through multiple initiatives such as community development, giving physical spaces a face lift, creating an art district, and ecological intervention. They also work with the local women to bring Koli cuisine into focus, train youth as heritage tour guides, and create other experiences to boost tourism.

Hosted by Radha Goenka, AGN members were given a guided walking tour of the area, met local community members, sampled Koli food, and engaged with the art. After that, a fireside chat was held with Mona Sinha, Global Executive Director of Equality Now, where she shared more about the obstacles obstructing justice for women. The day then ended with an introspective post-event where the AGN members reflected on their learnings over dinner, and talked about issues surrounding gender equality in South Asia. The discussion covered often overlooked impact areas, potential avenues to tackle, and the need for collaborative philanthropy.