From a life-changing encounter in the slums of Delhi to leading a transformative movement for adolescent girls in India, Sonal Kapoor’s journey exemplifies grit, vision, and purpose.

As founder and CEO of Protsahan India Foundation, Kapoor has dedicated over 15 years to pioneering trauma-informed, gender-just child rights interventions, reaching over 81,000 vulnerable girls annually and rescuing nearly 4,000 from abuse and exploitation.

Her interdisciplinary expertise in law, psychology, and social entrepreneurship has shaped Protsahan’s unique H.E.A.R.T. model an empathy-driven framework integrating healing, education, arts, rights, and technology.

Recognized globally as a fellow of Ashoka, World Bank, and Vital Voices, Kapoor’s leadership continues to expand systemic child protection reforms through evidence-based advocacy, grassroots empowerment, and government partnerships.

The Genesis of a Social Trailblazer

Sonal Kapoor’s path was not one laid out by privilege or influence but forged by compassion and relentless resolve. Her defining moment came early, when she met a young girl enduring violence and insecurity in a Delhi slum a moment Kapoor calls both heartbreaking and transformative: Meeting that child changed everything for me. It was then I realised the critical need for a holistic, compassionate approach. With formal training in Child Protection Law from the National Law School of India University and psychology, Kapoor was uniquely equipped to transform empathy into strategic action.

She launched Protsahan India Foundation in 2010 as a modest creative arts school but soon redefined it as a trauma-informed support system for adolescent girls aged 10-19, many caught in cycles of abuse, neglect, and poverty.

Kapoor stresses, “Our work is about more than rescue; it’s about giving girls the tools and dignity to reclaim their lives.” This foundational vision underpins Protsahan’s growth from grassroots efforts to a national beacon for child rights.

Building the H.E.A.R.T. Model

At the core of Protsahan’s impact lies the innovative H.E.A.R.T. model, conceptualised and refined under Kapoor’s leadership as a comprehensive framework addressing trauma at its roots.

The acronym represents Healing, Education, Arts, Rights, and Technology a blend of psychosocial support, creative expression, legal empowerment, and digital inclusion. Kapoor explains, Healing childhood trauma is essential; without addressing trauma, education and rights cannot fully take root.

Protsahan employs arts, theatre, dance movement, and creative storytelling to facilitate recovery and empowerment, with many alumni becoming award-winning advocates on global platforms.

The organisation also ensures families connect with government welfare schemes worth over INR 1 billion yearly, preventing institutionalisation and early marriage.

Beyond direct service, Protsahan trains over 40,000 government officials, judges, and community workers in trauma-informed care and child protection laws, enabling systemic reform rooted in empathy and evidence.

Overcoming Challenges and Scaling Impact

Operating primarily in urban slums fraught with poverty, child marriage, trafficking, and fragile social structures, Protsahan’s journey has been one of persistence and adaptation. Kapoor acknowledges, “Sustaining funding and trust in marginalized communities is never easy. We started with makeshift spaces and scarce resources, often relying on multiple part-time jobs to keep the mission alive.”

The COVID-19 pandemic intensified vulnerabilities orphans and widows doubled, and education stalled but Kapoor’s team innovated by leveraging government collaborations to deliver vital services remotely and expand psychosocial support.

Strategic hires and an expanded board brought diversity and stability, enabling long-term planning. Today, five Girl Empowerment Centres protect and uplift over 6,000 migrant and vulnerable girls annually while preserving communities’ trust and dignity.

Protsahan counts among its partners UNICEF, Azim Premji Philanthropy, Salesforce, and others, reflecting the credibility Kapoor earned through authenticity and measurable outcomes.

Global Recognition and Leadership

Kapoor’s pioneering work has garnered multiple national and international honours. She is a recognised Ashoka Fellow, Vital Voices Fellow, and World Bank Fellow, acclaimed for integrating gender-transformative and trauma-informed approaches into child welfare policies.

She has served on the Delhi Commission of Women’s Expert Committee on Anti-Child Trafficking and the Coalition to End Child Marriage. Kapoor’s research-based advocacy informs judicial training in Madhya Pradesh and Guwahati high courts, while her strategic communication amplifies children’s voices across social and digital platforms.

Reflecting on her journey, Kapoor says, I had no blueprint, but courage and evidence became my capital. Every rescued girl is proof that change is possible. This legacy continues to inspire social entrepreneurs and policymakers seeking systemic transformation through empathy, justice, and resilience.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Sonal Kapoor’s journey and Protsahan India Foundation’s work encapsulate the essence of compassionate and strategic social change that The Logical Indian champions. By addressing childhood trauma through a healing-centred yet systemic approach, Kapoor sets a new standard for child protection that is both gender-just and evidence-driven.

Such models foster peace and harmony not just by rescuing individuals but by transforming the societal structures that allow abuse to persist. As India grapples with entrenched gender disparities and child rights challenges, Kapoor’s work asks a vital question: How can communities, governments, and civil society deepen investments in trauma-informed, gender-sensitive frameworks to rebuild childhoods and shape equitable futures?

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