The Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) and the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), two sister institutions of global repute, have been striving for gender parity from their inceptions.

Kalinga Fellowship is a novel initiative by KISS along with Bridge Institute, Singapore, Ashoka Innovators and philanthropic organisations like Prajwala, Dasra and FXB India Suraksha to create path-breaking solutions to the problems of sexual assault and promote gender justice.

The second edition of Kalinga Fellowship, which concluded in Hyderabad recently, brought key stakeholders like business, government and civil society together to create several sustainable and actionable strategic plans to bring about zero tolerance to sexual assaults on girls. The first edition had been held in KIIT and KISS last year. The Kalinga Fellows work throughout the year as ambassadors of change by strategically contributing to the cause.

The KIIT and the KISS believe that growth happens only where women and girl children are empowered and safe. They are the first Indian institutions with a detailed 24 x 7, 365-protocol to ensure a free, protective, enabling and empowering campus for girl students. KISS girls, besides core curricular education, are also encouraged to participate in sporting activities, life skills education and various vocational education for their economic empowerment. They have participated in many national and international sports events and tournaments bringing glories for the country, the State and the institute as well.

‘Kanya Kiran’ is another flagship programme launched by KIIT and KISS in 2018. Urban or rural, women in Odisha are getting involved in this year-long programme that extends the same cause and works on similar lines by reaching out to remote communities to spread awareness on zero tolerance to sexual violence.