Priyali Sur

It takes courage to speak truth to power

Journalism as a Catalyst for Empowerment.

It takes courage to delve into the depths of societal injustices, and Priyali embodies this courage with every fiber of her being. Priyali Sur’s journey into journalism began with a fervent desire to uncover truths and amplify the voices of the marginalized. At the age of 30, she had already earned three national awards for her groundbreaking reporting on violence against women and girls in India. Despite her professional success as a news anchor, Priyali faced her own battles, including an abusive relationship that tested her resilience. Priyali’s chance to break free took a transformative turn when she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study gender-based violence media coverage in the United States.

Immersed in a new cultural landscape, she experienced firsthand the intersecting challenges faced by brown migrant women and survivors of gender-based violence. This experience deepened her understanding of migration through a gender lens and fueled her determination to advocate for marginalized groups. Around the same time in 2015, the world witnessed the mass migration of refugees from the Middle East to Europe. Priyali embarked on a journey to document and amplify the voices of women refugees across Europe; through various border checkpoints, camps, and settlements challenging existing xenophobic and ethno-nationalistic narratives about them. She challenged existing narratives and stereotypes, shedding light on the resilience and strength of refugee women. Inspired by the stories she encountered, Priyali founded The Azadi Project, a platform dedicated to empowering refugee and marginalized women and youth globally.

Through innovative programs and advocacy initiatives, The Azadi Project has positively impacted thousands of individuals including women and youths from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Niger, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, and marginalized communities in India. Back in India, Priyali has been a vocal advocate for Rohingya refugees, conducting extensive research and legal advocacy to secure their rights. She has petitioned the highest court in India to release unlawfully detained refugees and launched India’s first career leadership program for marginalized women and youth, benefiting 650 marginalized people from religious minorities, non-dominant castes, queer and migrant communities in India in its first year alone. Recognizing the importance of early intervention, Priyali leads The Azadi Project’s partnership with the Delhi Government to promote gender equality through on-campus workshops for adolescents. She believes that inclusive, incremental change is essential for true progress in confronting gender bias and empowering marginalized communities. Priyali Sur’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of courageous reporting and advocacy. Through her work, she continues to unveil truths, amplify voices, and create lasting change for those who need it most.