Shruti Kapoor facts for kids

Dr. Shruti Kapoor is an Indian economist and a champion for women's rights. She started an organization called Sayfty. Sayfty helps young women and girls learn how to stay safe and stand up against violence.

Early Life and Learning

Shruti Kapoor was born in Kanpur, India. In 2000, she moved to the United States. She studied economics and earned a master's degree from Marquette University. After that, she worked as an economist for the World Bank in Washington, D.C.. She then earned her doctorate degree in economics in California. Dr. Kapoor also taught economics at Occidental College.

Sayfty: Helping Girls Stay Safe

What is Sayfty?

Dr. Kapoor started Sayfty in June 2013. Its main goal is to teach and empower young women and girls. Sayfty helps them protect themselves from all kinds of violence.

How Sayfty Helps

Sayfty teaches girls important skills like self-defense. They also learn about safety tools, such as pepper-spray. The organization helps young people understand their legal rights. Sayfty also creates discussions about safety. This helps everyone understand what makes women feel unsafe. In 2015, Sayfty won the People's Choice Award by Femvertising.

Speaking Up for Change

As an activist, Dr. Kapoor has spoken at many important events. She has shared her ideas at the United Nations several times.

Talks at the United Nations

• In August 2016, she spoke at the Youth Assembly at the United Nations.
• In March 2017, she led a discussion at the Youth Forum (CSW61) at the United Nations. The topic was about young women as an economic force.
• In January 2017, she talked about young women's economic empowerment at the Winter Youth Assembly.
• In November 2016, she spoke about how violence affects young women's ability to earn money. This was for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
• In August 2017, Shruti spoke about using technology to help achieve gender equality.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Kapoor has received many awards for her important work.

• In 2019, Apolitical named her one of the Most Influential People in Global Policy.
• The Indian Ministry of Women and Child Development recognized her. They called her one of the 30 #WebWonderWomen. These are women who use social media to create positive social change.
• Richtopia named her one of the top 100 leaders from global organizations in 2018.
• She was a judge for the $1 million Women Safety Xprize competition.
• In 2015, she received the International Women Of The Year Award from Aosta Valley, Italy.
• She also received the Rex Karamveer Global Fellowship in New Delhi in 2015.
• In March 2016, she was named one of the EU's top 200 Women in the World of Development.
• She has won three story awards with World Pulse.
• In September 2016, she won the Rising Stars Award 2016 by We are the City India.
• In October 2016, 52Feminists.com recognized her as one of the "52 Feminists."