Trusted by leading organisations
Why We Started PENN
After the country witnessed a series of heinous crimes against women in 2019, a group of socially conscious citizens from Chennai came together. They launched a movement with a proactive, 360° approach towards preventing sexual crimes against women and children and ensuring women's empowerment.
PENN — Protection and Empowerment of Naari — operates at the individual, community, governance and judiciary levels to create lasting systemic change.
- Certified by Ministry of Corporate Affairs (CSR 00053163)
- IT 80G certified — donations are tax-exempt
- Active in Chennai since 2021
- Darpan ID: TN/2022/0327109
Vision
To create a safe environment for women around us through a proactive & 360° approach towards preventing crimes against women and children.
Mission
- IndividualEducating women on crime prevention.
- CommunityEncouraging safe practices in apartments, corporates & establishments.
- GovernanceSeeking government support for safer public spaces.
- JudiciarySupporting judicial implementation and law enforcement.
A Different Kind of NGO
PENN doesn't just respond to crises — we prevent them. Our preventive, 360° model works across every level of society to build a culture where women and children are genuinely safe.
We are Ministry of Corporate Affairs certified for CSR funding, 80G certified for tax-exempt donations, and have an advisory board of nationally recognised leaders.
Preventive Approach
We act before crimes happen — educating, sensitizing and building safe cultures rather than reacting after incidents.
Multi-Sector Model
Operating across schools, colleges, corporates, communities and government to create systemic change at every level.
Proven CSR Track Record
Successfully partnered with Chennai Port Authority, Samsung, Microchip Technologies and more on impactful CSR programs.
Measurable Impact
5,000+ individuals trained, 50+ corporate sessions delivered, and growing conviction rates in our target communities.
Why This Work Matters
The numbers reveal a systemic crisis. PENN exists to change these statistics — one community at a time.
of all crimes against women are rape
National crime statistics data
Per lakh population
Recorded rape cases per 100,000 women
Conviction rate for rape
vs 47% for other crimes
Surge in reporting
Post Nirbhaya incident — still under-reported
"She gives you life. She gives love, respect and gratitude. She nurtures you, fights for you. She deserves nothing less from you."
What We Do
Gender Sensitisation Seminars
Programs across schools and colleges creating confidence through gender sensitisation and counselling — prevention and identification of abuse.
Velu Nachiyar Stage Play
Communication of women empowerment & collaboration through a stage play — mobilising students and raising awareness through art.
Celebrity Awareness Campaigns
Appealing to the public through celebrity voices on gender sensitisation — leveraging influence for large-scale attitude change.
Public Stakeholder Engagement
Engagement with political, legal, police & administrative stakeholders for improving conviction rates and deterring offenders.
PoSH Training & ICC Support
Comprehensive PoSH Act training for all employees and ICC setup support — keeping organizations legally compliant and workplaces safe.
CSR Partnership Programs
Channelling corporate CSR budgets into high-impact women safety initiatives aligned with Schedule VII, with full documentation and impact reporting.
Current Highlights
Wear The Purple Badge — Circle of Trust
Our ongoing campaign encouraging individuals to wear the purple badge as a symbol of sensitivity and respect for women in their lives.
PoSH Awareness at Kalakshetra Foundation
Two-day awareness session for artists on Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace — bridging art and safety.
Gender Sensitization — Samsung Electronics
PENN conducted an in-depth gender sensitization workshop for Samsung employees, reinforcing a culture of safety and respect.
Upcoming & Recent Events
PoSH Awareness Session – Kalakshetra Foundation
PoSH Awareness – Microchip Technologies
Samsung Electronics – Gender Sensitization
Pledge for Woman Safety Campaign
Support Our Cause
Your donation helps PENN run free self-defence workshops, counselling sessions, and awareness campaigns in colleges, schools and communities across India.
Volunteer With Us
Use your skills to drive real change. Lawyers, counsellors, trainers, content creators, HR professionals — PENN needs you to bring safety to more communities.
- ✓Conduct gender sensitisation sessions
- ✓Support self-defence training programs
- ✓Help with media & social campaigns
- ✓Mentor women in vulnerable situations
What People Say
"PENN's session transformed how our students understand gender safety. The approach was age-appropriate, engaging and left a lasting impact on both students and staff."
Dr Priya Ramesh
Principal, Chennai Public School
"The PoSH training delivered by PENN was the most thorough and professional we've experienced. Our staff came away with clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities."
Anand Krishnamurthy
HR Head, Microchip Technologies
"The self-awareness and confidence I gained from PENN's program was life-changing. I now know how to identify unsafe situations and who to turn to."
Meena Subramanian
Student, Women's College, Chennai
Meet the People Behind PENN
A group of passionate professionals committed to women's safety across India.
Trustees
Mr VS Sridhar
Founder & Managing Trustee
Senior Corporate Executive involved with the cause of Women Safety since 2012.
Ms Swarnalatha Mahesh
Trustee
Senior Advocate & Arbitrator practising in Madras High Court, Certified POSH professional.
Dr Gopalakrishnan
Trustee
Ex-Indian Air Force Officer, HR & Industrial Relations Expert, Certified POSH professional.
Core Committee
Ms Angshumitra
Core Committee
Teacher, dancer, artist, story teller.
Ms Chitra Anchan
Core Committee
First class Masters in Social Work, trained in Medical Psychiatry with 10+ years experience.
Ms Monica Rajavelu
Core Committee
Counselling Psychology professional, Certified in Behavioral Science.
Ms Rudra
Core Committee
Corporate executive — regional head in MNC, active on social causes.
Ms Shweta
Core Committee
Principal Correspondent, Senior Journalist with DT Next.
Ms Sneha Mohandoss
Core Committee
Founder of FoodBank NGO, Karate Black Belt, Top Women Achiever.
Guided by Experience
Distinguished leaders who lend their expertise to PENN's mission.
Justice Prabha Sridevan
Retired Judge, Madras High Court
Former Madras High Court judge, author and artist. Chairperson of the Intellectual Property Appellate Board (2011–2013). Winner of Justice Shivraj V Patil Award for Service to Humanity.
S R Jangid, IPS
DGP (Rtd.), Tamil Nadu
IPS officer of 1985 batch. Led the team behind the Bawaria Operation immortalized in films Dheeran (Tamil) and Khakhi (Telugu). Decorated with President of India's Gallantry Medal.
D Sabitha, IAS
Additional Chief Secretary (Rtd.), Govt. of Tamil Nadu
Served as Principal Secretary, School Education Dept. Held assignments across Education, Industries, Finance and Social Welfare for three decades.
Ravichandran Ashwin
International Cricketer
Represents India and Tamil Nadu in cricket. Ranked among the best spin bowlers of his generation and one of the highest-ranked all-rounders in Test cricket.
Dr Kamala Selvaraj
Director, GG Hospitals, Chennai
Commissioned the first test-tube baby of South India in August 1990. Awarded Best Lady Doctor Award (1993) and Rajiv Gandhi Memorial National Integration Award (1995).
Revathi
Actor, Director & Social Worker
Won three National Film Awards and six Filmfare Awards South. Actively involved in organisations including the Banyan, Ability Foundation and Vidyasagar.
P Unnikrishnan
Carnatic Vocalist & Playback Singer
Winner of National Film Award for Best Playback Singer. Awards include Kalaimamani, Nada Bhushanam, and Isai Peroli. Permanent judge on Airtel Super Singer.
Dr Venkatraman
Senior Consultant, UNESCO
International consultant in Education, Sustainable Development and Empowerment. Staff member with UNESCO offices (Montreal, Bangkok, Nairobi) for over 10 years.
Latest Updates
PoSH Training at Samsung Electronics India — 340 Employees Certified
PENN conducted a full-day PoSH awareness and compliance program at Samsung Electronics India's Chennai facility, training 340 staff across two specialised tracks.
PoSH Awareness Session – Kalakshetra Foundation
Two-Day PoSH Awareness Program for Artists at Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai — a milestone in sensitizing India's art community.
PENN Featured on NDTV — Pledge for Woman Safety
PENN's Pledge for Woman Safety campaign was highlighted on NDTV, amplifying the message of men stepping up as allies for women's safety.
Velu Nachiyar Stage Play — Empowerment Through Art
PENN's signature stage play on women empowerment toured colleges and communities across Chennai, reaching 2,000+ students.