In a world where social change often requires innovative solutions, the Junoon Awards stand as a testament to those organizations that dare to push boundaries and redefine possibilities. The Junoon Awards 2024, which embraced the theme “Empowering through Innovations,” celebrated organizations driving transformative change through creative approaches. Among the standout awardees was Manzil Mystics with their WeBhor Project, an initiative that has harnessed the power of music to tackle crucial social issues impacting young women, particularly in marginalized communities.
Manzil Mystics: Using Music for Social Change
For the past 16 years, Manzil Mystics has been a music-driven force for social change, as a band and, for the last eight years, as a nonprofit organization. Their journey started with performing Kabir’s poetry through folk fusion, but they soon realized that music has the power to transform education, well-being, and livelihoods beyond just entertainment. Today, their work spans music education, gender, youth empowerment, professional development for musicians, and large-scale social advocacy. Our vision is to increase the accessibility, usability, and sustainability of music for all. The WeBhor Project is one such initiative that strategically applies music as a tool to address gender-related challenges and foster social transformation.
WeBhor: Strengthening Advocacy Through Music
WeBhor isn’t just about education, it’s about changing mindsets and amplifying voices. The project blends music, advocacy, and leadership development to empower adolescent girls and young women. By integrating customized songs, interactive workshops, and storytelling, WeBhor turns sensitive topics; such as menstrual health, gender rights, financial literacy, and emotional well-being into engaging, relatable learning experiences.
Traditional awareness programs often struggle to create safe spaces for dialogue on these issues. WeBhor fills this gap by transforming music into a tool for both education and empowerment. It’s not just about sharing knowledge; it’s about ensuring young women own their narratives, build confidence, and lead change within their communities.
Making Lasting Impact Through Project WeBhor
Since its inception, Project WeBhor has directly impacted over 4,000 young women across Delhi. The project’s approach is both grassroots and scalable, incorporating:
● Fellowship Model: Local female musicians are trained to educate and mentor nearly 200 girls each through 20 hours of weekly engagement. These fellows receive training in music, digital skills, and leadership, fostering employment opportunities and long-term community impact.
● Mobile Music Bus: A fully equipped, mobile music school takes the WeBhor experience to underserved areas, ensuring outreach beyond physical limitations.
● Digital Advocacy: The program’s musical and animated videos help expand WeBhor’s reach, ensuring lasting impact through digital media.
Beyond awareness, WeBhor drives behavioral change by channeling the energy of youth into social action through music, proving that music is not just an art form; it is a creative tool for systemic transformation.
Scaling Manzil Mystics: A Collaborative Future
Successful projects like WeBhor has laid the foundation for large-scale expansion in Delhi through our in-school and after-school programs. Over the next phase, we aim to:
● Expand from 48 to 200 schools across Delhi, embedding music as a core tool for education and advocacy.
● Train teachers and build digital learning resources to make gender education more interactive and accessible.
● Incubate women-led musician groups across Delhi and rural villages in Uttarakhand, fostering local leadership and economic empowerment.
● Collaborate with government and corporate partners to integrate Project WeBhor into formal education policies like the Kishori Shakti Yojana.
By merging on-ground interventions, digital advocacy, and strategic partnerships, WeBhor is set to redefine how arts and music contribute to social development.
Call to Action: Investing in Music-Based Advocacy
At the Junoon Awards 2024, WeBhor was celebrated for its innovative and sustainable approach to social change. But this is just the beginning. For music to become a mainstream tool for advocacy, education, and empowerment, we need partners who believe in its power. As we expand the vision of Manzil Mystics, we invite corporate, government, and philanthropic partners to join us in scaling this impact. Together, we can ensure music isn’t just heard; it drives real, lasting change.
