Annual Activity Report 2016-17 Pinkathon - India’s BIGGEST WOMEN’S RUN Pinkathon started in 2012 in Mumbai, to provide women with an opportunity to take their first steps towards health and fitness and join a community that will continually motivate and encourage them in this endeavor. The initiative also focused on the need for increased awareness of breast cancer and other concerns that risk women's lives. 1. Our Founders Speak 2 2. About Us 3 3. Vision & Mission 3 4. Core Values 4 5. Pinkathon 5 CONTENTS 6. The Four Pillars of Pinkathon 6 7. How we do it 7 8. Key Highlights 14 9. Sustainability in the Pink 47 10. Pink Ripples 49 11. Our Pillars of Strength 52 1 OUR FOUNDERS SPEAK Running is just symbolic. The objective of Pinkathon is to encourage women to realise the importance and value of their health and inspire them to dedicate some time for it every day. What follows is a boost of self confidence, self-belief and self motivation. A notable feature of Pinkathon over the years, is highlighted through this year’s events too; has been its inclusiveness including participation of cancer survivors, baby wearing mothers and hearing and visually impaired women and girls. The other key highlight has been engaging women who shy away from fitness routines due to discomfort with so called - ‘fitness apparels’. We encouraged women to run in sarees, in salwar kameez, hijab or any other attire that they were comfortable in, with a focus to address some of the issues stopping women from joining the wave of health awareness sweeping the country. Pinkathon is growing and in every edition, we have 60% new participants. I believe, “Empowerment is not a gift of society. It is a gift that you give yourself”. Milind Soman, Founder & Director, USF Through United Sisters Foundation (USF), Pinkathon is providing a liberating experience for many women from a routine life and encouraging them to take time out for themselves and take care of their health and fitness. When we started Pinkathon in 2012, we did not envisage that it will garner such support and enthusiasm. However, the increasing number of participants, year after year, has transformed this initiative into a movement which has culminated to become India’s Biggest Women’s Run. USF has grown to become a dedicated organisation for women to redefine the meaning of women empowerment through inclusivity, inspiring by example, participation and innovativeness; with health and fitness as the core focus. It is the women participants, who took the lead and we at USF has facilitated the process, that made Pinkathon, what it is today. Breast cancer awareness is one such topic that needed attention and we provided free mammograms screenings at the Pinkathon. Reema Sanghavi, Co-Founder & Director, USF 2 ABOUT US United Sisters Foundation (USF) is a Section 25, not for profit company, founded in 2014. Since its inception, USF has focused on raising awareness on ‘Women Matter(s)' – voicing every matter related to women and making every woman matter. USF focuses on engaging and empowering young girls and women through Education, Awareness, and Capacity Building. Women health and fitness is one of our key focus. Our flagship initiatives includes Pinkathon and awareness related to breast cancer. VISION & MISSION VISION A world where women and girls are healthy, CREDO educated, safe and independent; realising a Women Matter(s) desired quality of life MISSION To fulfil its vision, USF engages, encourages and empowers women and adolescent girls to take charge of their lives, with a focus on health, education and financial independence. It plays an enabling role in helping women and adolescent girls make informed decisions about their health, safety and education. 3 OUR CORE VALUES Live2Inspire Inclusivity Innovation Safety Integrity Create Value Transparency 4 PINKATHON More than a Marathon Pinkathon is more than a marathon – it is a seed of change. A movement shaped and led by a growing community of empowered women across India, who share a belief that - healthy family, a healthy nation and a healthy world begins with empowered women. 5 THE FOUR PILLARS OF PINKATHON “Living what we believe in” Inspiration by example Pinkathon organizes special runs and trainings for registered participants, who are led by Pinkathon mascots and Ambassadors - who have completed several trainings and participated in the main runs themselves. Empowerment through Sports To explore passions and potential, in a stress-free environment. Women Health To build a brighter and Inclusivity healthier future, engaging Pinkathon actively seeks out women to talk openly isoloated communities and about health problems and motivates them to be a part seek expert advice. of this celebration of life, to inspire, and be inspired. 6 HOW WE DO IT A short run of 5 km along with fellow Pink Sisters. Pink Training Meet (Creating Pinkathon State of mind) 7 Spirit of Pinkathon (Celebrating potential of the human spirit) A city to city run with an ultra-running distance and is an initiative to celebrate the potential of the human spirit. Pinkathon Mascot Man Kaur a 101 yrs. old Guinness world record holder. Visually Impaired Training Run Bringing the visually impaired into the mainstream using running as the medium. Thus, fostering sighted runners more than a glimpse into their lives, they can only imagine. 8 Zumba Sessions for the deaf and mute Breaking sound barriers, encouraging women and children with hearing impairment to engage in fitness routine in a fun way. Babywearing Mothers Workshop One of its kind seminars to train mothers how to Babywear, with a basic cotton dupatta or a cotton saree at home and add fitness routine while wearing their babies. Cancer Shero Walk - “I Inspire” Cancer Shero Walk activates courage and resilience to seek more options and thrive beyond cancer. It encourages our cancer survivors to build a healthy exercise routine with our experts. 9 Traditional Cycle Rally A 3km & 6km ride creating an inclusive environment for a run. Saree Run The legacy and love of every Indian woman for sarees is undeniable. Through 'The Saree Run', we intend to empower and encourage women to take part in running by draping our rich and vibrant culture around them. Republic Day Run As a precursor to the main run, Republic day se Independence Day tak Run is organized. The challenge starts on 26th January and ends on 15th August. This is a daily run challenge where women can participate from any location at any given time. One needs to run for 203 days run completing minimum 2 Kms every day. 10 Pinkbandhan Raksha bandhan celebrations are held at various orphanages and children homes in the city, encouraging them to participate in the main run. Treadathon As a build-up to Pinkathon, Treadathon gives men a fantastic opportunity to volunteer, run on treadmills, and show their support to the cause. Mother’s Day Celebration! With Zumba and games, Mother’s Day was celebrated in various old-age homes with fun activities for the orphans and less privileged women and senior citizens 11 Relationship Run The Rani Run is 3 km run with Milind Soman for women in the family, to promote family bonding while taking care of one’s health. Pink Street Flash Mobs attract instant attention for Pinkathon by performing dance and aerobics on the streets. 100 Days of Pinkathon A transformational digital campaign led by the Ambassadors of Pinkathon for the community of the Pink Sisters. 12 I Inspire Run – I’am Able I Inspire Runs are packed with competitions and activities such as Wheelchair race, Ground Device race and some fitness sessions. The Pink Stories Every face tells a story. Extraordinary women and their inspiring stories are the strength of Pinkathon. India Going Pink A franchise model initiated by United Sisters Foundation to encourage women to adopt healthier lifestyles and develop a positive attitude towards life. 13 OUR PINK CITIES Pinkathon is currently conducted in 8 Cities..! 14 Key Highlights 2016-17 Pinkathon Chennai Chapter 2016 Pinkathon Day was celebrated with 30 women at The Banyan Kovalam. A zumba session followed by an awareness session on cancer was organized on 14th May 2016. 15 Training of Pinkathon's inspiring Ambassadors Shazia Fathima, led the hearing and visually impaired squad at Pinkathon Chennai 2016. She is a brilliant example of resilience. Provided with access to the right resources, one can overcome all barriers regardless of gender or disability. Born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome and having both her cataracts removed at birth she underwent a heart surgery all before she turned four. I’M Able Squad Zumba and Training Sessions were conducted with the differently abled @ Chennai on 16th April 2016. Baby Wearing Mothers 25 babywearing mothers as well as first timers participated in walks, workshops as well as fun flash mobs around the city on 1st May 2016 16 Cancer Shero Walk 45 women participated in the walk, sharing their stories and experience. They were honored with an "I Inspire" medal on 21st May 2016 Spirit of Pinkathon Spoorthi, Kunal and Sandeep reached Chennai covering 350 kms in 6 days, from Bangalore on 4th June 2016. Each Pinkathon Ambassadors adopted a grandmother and the pair took part in the 5km and 10km Run at Pinkathon Chennai on 7th May 2016 17 Zumba and Training was conducted with KKSS Family with 45 women on 15th May 2016. Helping them kick start their fitness routine. Pengaluka O Podunga Run A traditional run for women and men was held on 22nd May 2016 at Tower Park in Anna Nagar. 18 The Treadathon event was held at Forum Mall with 48 participants, powered by Talwalkar’s, gave men a fantastic opportunity to volunteer, run on treadmills, and show their support on 8th May 2016 Pinkathon Chennai 2016 Over 5000 participants took part in the run, which began at Island Grounds near the city’s famous Marina Beach on 5th June 2016.