SOAR was founded in 2021 to break down silos and unify a national movement.
SOAR was founded in response to a growing crisis: 48% of South Asian men and women report experiencing at least one form of gender-based violence. The COVID-19 pandemic, racial uprisings, and rising anti-Asian hate in 2020 only intensified these rates, sparking a moment of reckoning for grassroots advocates and leaders. They recognized that addressing gender-based violence requires both direct support for survivors and lasting cultural and systemic change.
In September 2021, six grassroots leaders came together to establish South Asian SOAR: Amrita Doshi (formerly at Sakhi and SOAR’s Founding Executive Director), Aparna Bhattacharyya (Raksha, GA), Kavita Mehra (Sakhi, NY), Navneet Bhalla (Manavi, NJ), Rachna Khare (Daya, TX), and Veda Kamra (Sakhi, NY).
Building on decades of work across the South Asian gender justice movement, these leaders created a national network to strengthen organizations supporting survivors and harness collective power to change the beliefs, policies, and cultural norms that allow violence to persist.
Today, SOAR brings together 50+ grassroots organizations, survivors, allies, and movement leaders to advance prevention, research, advocacy, and storytelling. Together, we are building a future rooted in safety, healing, justice, and joy.
OUR MISSION & WORK
Our mission is to grow collective power to transform the culture and systems that lead to violence.
We engage youth, elders, survivors, and community members in education, storytelling, and advocacy to strengthen their ability to shape solutions to end violence.
Building collective power
Strengthening the field
We enhance the efficacy and sustainability of frontline organizations through national convenings, monthly trainings, resources, and mentorship programs.
We shift cultural narratives and influence policy change through national research, advocacy campaigns, and survivor stories.
Shifting the narrative
We are building a thriving ecosystem of survivors, advocates, and allies who collaborate to prevent and end violence through direct services, organizing, and advocacy.
OUR VISION & VALUES