Anita Bhoyar

Indian social activist who pioneered women's literacy and empowerment initiatives in rural India

Anita Bhoyar (born 1975) is a visionary social entrepreneur from Maharashtra, India, best known for founding the Sakshipratham Trust in 2003. This organization has empowered over 500,000 rural women through literacy programs that combine traditional knowledge with modern education techniques. Bhoyar's innovative approach integrates local cultural practices into her teaching methods, creating sustainable impact in regions where female literacy rates were below 40% when she began her work.

Her TED Talk on participatory education has inspired global educators, and her work was featured in the Times of India (2016) and National Geographic's Women Empowerment series (2018). Bhoyar developed the 'Mobile Learning Van' concept - a traveling classroom equipped with solar-powered devices that bring education directly to marginalized communities. This initiative won the UNESCO Literacy Prize in 2019.

Beyond literacy, Bhoyar's programs address healthcare access and financial inclusion. The UN Women recognized her as a 'Champion of Change' in 2020 for her work in linking literacy to economic empowerment through micro-enterprise training. Her autobiography The Letters of Liberation (2021) details her journey from a village girl to an international advocate, emphasizing the transformative power of education.