Dr. Mayaa SH is a multifaceted force in contemporary Indian literature, activism, and social reform. Renowned for her groundbreaking work in women’s empowerment, gender equality, and mental health awareness, she is celebrated as a “Women Empowerment Culturist,” a “Firebrand Feminist,” and a “Gender-Based Violence Specialist.” Her powerful book Swayam emphasizes self-belief, resilience, and the pursuit of personal potential—especially for women. Through her work, Dr. Mayaa SH encourages readers to adopt an exponential growth mindset and challenge limiting societal norms. With numerous national and international accolades to her name, and a presence in global publications such as Tejaswi – The Imperishable on Women Power and Honour, she continues to inspire change and spark meaningful dialogue around gender justice and mental well-being.
1.Your book Swayam has been widely praised for its message of self-belief and empowerment. What inspired you to write it?
Answer: My commitment to exploring themes of self-belief, motivation, and the empowerment of women have always been pivotal in curating any literary piece. Swayam is a heartfelt dedication to the inherent qualities and thought processes of Physics Walla (PW)Shri Alakh Pandey and Shri Durlav Sarkar, two individuals who achieved tremendous success in their respective fields through courage and determination. Their ability to turn “impossible” into “I am possible” served as a significant inspiration.Swayam” reflects my inner belief and ideology that empowering women is crucial for the health and social development of families, communities, and nations . The book is designed as a self-help guide, offering insights and inspiration for personal growth and resilience, particularly for women seeking to rediscover themselves and channel their inner strengths .
2.The concept of an exponential growth mindset is central to Swayam. How can individuals, especially women, start cultivating this mindset in their everyday lives?
Answer: Cultivating an exponential growth mindset in women involves a multifaceted approach that emphasizes continuous learning, resilience, and a reframing of challenges and failures as opportunities for development. Women can cultivate an exponential growth mindset by embracing continuous learning, reframing challenges as opportunities, practicing self-reflection, seeking and utilizing feedback, prioritizing effort over innate talent, and fostering supportive networks. This approach helps women to not only navigate but thrive in various aspects of their lives, from personal development to professional leadership .A foundational step in fostering a growth mindset is to understand and internalize the core principle that abilities are not static .Embracing continuous learning and development is paramount .Successful women entrepreneurs, for instance, are lifelong learners who constantly seek new knowledge, skills, and experiences .This involves formal education, online courses, self-study, and even sharing one’s learning journey to inspire others and attract mentors.The rapid pace of technological change, particularly in fields like coding, necessitates a commitment to being a lifelong learner.
3.As someone recognized internationally for your work in gender equality and mental health, what personal experiences have shaped your advocacy the most?
Answer: My background, including growing up in an Army family and witnessing societal challenges, instilled in me a deep desire to make a positive impact. This helped me experience valuable insights based on a diverse upbringing across various cities in India. The exposure to different environments fostered a strong desire for knowledge and understanding in me to invest my knowledge in the growth of people and society, leading me to redefine success as a life of service, impact, fulfillment, and passion for countless souls.In my pursuit of understanding the perspectives of young girls and women in India, I made significant lifestyle changes, adopting a minimalist routine that included early mornings, cold showers, a simplified diet, and daily meditation. This period allowed me to immerse myself in ancient practices of breath and mindfulness, exploring timeless philosophies. This journey further led me to realize that my calling extended beyond personal fulfillment; thereby I became determined to help others rediscover their purpose, especially those who had lost their will to live .My writings often began to explore the struggles and triumphs of women in patriarchal societies, shedding light on issues like identity, economic independence, and social freedom. This gave me the verve to be recognised as a crusader on India’s contemporary verve of economics, freedom of the press, gender neutrality, and women and human rights. I also recognised the power of voice to help others reclaim theirs, offering self-help books, spoken engagements, and partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations to help vulnerable communities navigate trauma. This led me to focus more on work that aims to foster open dialogue about mental health, challenge stereotypes, and inspire individuals to seek help and support.
4.How do you define true empowerment, and what role does literature play in advancing it?
Answer: True empowerment is a recognition as a multifaceted process where women gain the right to make decisions equal to men across legal, political, physical, mental, social, and economic spheres within their families, communities, societies, and nations. It signifies women becoming aware of and actively challenging socio-psychological-cultural injustice, gender discrimination, and inequality, ultimately leading to their full participation and equal rights in society. Empowerment involves women achieving equal decision-making power and rights across all aspects of life, including legal, political, physical, mental, social, and economic domains. This comprehensive empowerment is rooted in women’s awareness of and active resistance to socio-psychological-cultural injustices, gender discrimination, and inequality. Literature, for me, serves as a crucial tool in achieving this empowerment by reflecting societal realities, raising awareness, challenging norms, and inspiring critical thinking. Literature serves as a mirror to society, a catalyst for change, and a platform for marginalized voices. She views literature as a means to broaden minds, shape worldviews, and encourage questioning and intuition. For me, literature is truly impactful when it reflects its time, addressing contemporary issues and offering solutions to societal problems. Through literary contributions,one can aim to dismantle stereotypes, advocate for gender inclusivity, and inspire women to rediscover their inner strength and purpose .
- You’ve been described as a “Firebrand Feminist.” How do you navigate the challenges that come with such a strong label in a society still battling patriarchal structures?
Answer: My vision and strategies are extremely simplistic in nature and include a clear and consistent definition of feminism, direct engagement with societal norms, a focus on practical solutions and empowerment, and leveraging experiences and literary works to inspire change.At an individual level my approach to navigating patriarchal challenges is deeply rooted in the understanding of feminism as a movement for “Equality, not Superiority.” I affirm that feminism is not a war between men and women, but rather a fight against the ideology of rhetoric patriarchial structures .Feminism seeks equality for all genders, religions, classes, and castes, and aims to ensure every individual lives with liberty, equality, and dignity . This clear articulation helps me to dispel common misconceptions that label feminism as misandry or a Western concept, thereby making my message more accessible and less confrontational to a broader audience .I do endeavour to actively work to dismantle the structural rigidity of patriarchy by communicating feminist concepts in multiple idioms and simple language, making complex political debates understandable to diverse groups.I do advocate for policies that discourage demanding dismantling forced childbirth, and calls for severe punishment for men who exploit young girls, equating such acts to non-bailable rape offenses . The addressal of the wage gap and limited leadership opportunities for women, asserting that women possess equal, if not superior, leadership abilities is unequivocally the need of the hour .I do believe in actively engaging in initiatives aimed at uplifting women’s voices, ensuring their rights are recognized, and providing financial support for girls’ education . My work includes providing safe spaces, counseling, advocacy, and a 24-hour hotline for victims of domestic violence, all free of cost . To me advocacy for legal reforms, including changes in matrimonial law, criminalization of marital rape, and promoting legal awareness among women is imperative.
6.What reforms or changes do you believe are most urgently needed today to create a truly equal society?
Answer: The most urgently needed reforms to create a truly equal society revolve around empowering women holistically, challenging patriarchal norms, and ensuring equal rights and opportunities across all sectors. She emphasizes that women’s empowerment is a continuous process without a definitive endpoint, requiring persistent effort and systemic change .One of the core areas to focus on important highlights is the promotion of women’s leadership and political participation .The importance of women receiving greater support from their families to reach the highest positions in their careers without hindrance is a must .This further lays assertion on the fact that strong families, societies, and nations are built upon Empowered Women .This aligns with my broader vision of women as agents of change for the benefit of all humanity .Economically, sensitisation is required for empowering women through investments in their education and health, and by expanding their employment opportunities. Such investments yield significant dividends in economic development, improve quality of life, and foster social benefits, creativity, entrepreneurship, and technical advances . Violence against women obstructs poverty alleviation programs by impeding equitable resource distribution. My vision for an equal society is built upon:
(1)Promoting women’s leadership and political participation .
(2)Economically empowering women through education, health, and employment opportunities .
(3)Ending all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls, supported by legal reforms like the criminalization of marital rape and mandatory marriage registration.
(4)Dismantling patriarchal structures and challenging gender inequality in all its forms.
7.What message would you like to leave for young women striving to find their voice and purpose in a world that often tries to silence them?
Answer: I would urge young women to dare to dream beyond societal limitations . I do assert that success in any field, including writing and women’s empowerment, stems from an unwavering focus and determination to pursue one’s aspirations, regardless of external opinions .At a personal level I began writing at the age of ten, transforming my passion into a vision to amplify the voices of millions of women through literature that reflects contemporary social and political viewpoints . This journey, I note, has been filled with “wonderful experiences and times of great learnings,” which have fostered my individual evolution and prevented complacency .In times of challenge, true courage is not an absence of fear, but as the willingness to adopt customs or pursue paths that others might avoid due to fear of loss, lack of cooperation, or judgment . A person’s personality is shaped by their resilience, and an increased capacity for tolerance leads to greater inner strength and patience, enabling individuals to navigate difficult situations effectively.My recommendation to young women would be to commence their aspirations early and expose themselves to courses or certifications that hone their skills.This eventually will serve as a testament to their belief in constant exploration and the utilization of one’s intellect to achieve passionate pursuits.In essence, my message to young women is to cultivate an unshakeable self-belief, embrace courage in the face of adversity, commit to lifelong learning, and actively contribute to a more equitable society, all while prioritizing their mental well-being and seeking support when needed.
