Youth Ki Awaaz is India’s largest writing platform that enables students and young people from across the country to use the power of their writing to highlight issues that matter most. In collaboration with Yes We Exist, YKA is thrilled to reintroduce our Writers Training Program designed exclusively for young queer individuals who are currently students or in the early stages of their careers. Yes We Exist is an online community dedicated to raising awareness about queer rights and issues in India. With this program Yes We Exist and Youth Ki Awaaz will enable you to become a part of a community of engaged individuals who recognize the transformative potential of impactful storytelling.
Crafting powerful stories holds immense potential to propel the queer rights movement in India forward. Over the last decade, lakhs of young people from across the country have used the platform to create impact. Dr. Aqsa and Jeet stand as living proof of this achievement.
Dr. Aqsa Shaikh’s poignant article found its place in the ‘Discrimination and Need for Sensitisation’ segment, contributing to the discourse on public violence. Likewise, Jeet’s impactful article made its mark in the same section, within the handbook’s discussions on healthcare and conversion therapy. These stories have transcended barriers and are now helping educate and sensitise, making a tangible difference.
Personal narratives have the ability to humanise the struggles, aspirations, and triumphs of queer individuals, breaking down stereotypes and prejudices that persist. Our story matters, and by speaking up, we contribute to the diversity of narratives within the community.
By joining Youth Ki Awaaz's free-of-cost Writer's Training Program, you learn:
- Writing and communicating: Learn how to write some of the most effective stories on issues that impact our world - big and small.
- Research: Develop critical research skills and learn the ABCD of it, from reaching out to experts, narrowing down questions relevant to your piece, to synthesising your research and turning it into consumable, shareable information.
- Data analysis: Numbers scare you? Well, they definitely make you more credible as a writer. Learn how to crunch numbers, and find data that strengthens your argument or even helps you formulate one.
- Curation: Too much information on the information? Learning how to choose relevant information, and discarding the rest is a key element that makes or breaks your writing. Get ahead of it!
- Editing: Learn how to critically analyse your own writing with YKA’s editors with years of experience of running India’s largest citizen media platform.
“If individuals have a passion for bringing necessary changes in society through writing as a medium, this program is definitely for them!” – Oishi Banik
What’s in store for you?
- Work on 4 impactful stories and receive intensive, constructive feedback and extensive training on structuring, writing and telling your story.
- If selected as a trainee, you will get access to one-on-one mentorship from a YKA editor, get personalised feedback on all your stories.
- You will get access to a network of writers with a shared passion for writing and changemaking
- You will be awarded a certificate at the end of your journey.
What do you need?
- You must be fluent in English and your regional language.
- You must have a working internet connection, a computer device.
- You should be willing to devote 8-10 hours per week for the same.