Shaktipreneur in Spotlight: Grace Rephung. L (Founder, EYAR Production)

“I aim to build empowering spaces for women and children where they get opportunities for secure livelihoods and the freedom to live fulfilling lives by tapping into their inner potential,” says Grace Rephung. L, Shaktipreneur in Spotlight and founder of EYAR Productions, a non-profit organization to liberate women and youth.

The inspiration behind EYAR

Grace grew up in Hungpung village in the Ukhrul district of Manipur in a male-dominated patriarchal society. She experienced all kinds of gender-based violence. While trying to solve her problems, she encountered many other women suffering from violence and hatred.

“Women are unappreciated, face restrictions, and struggle to live a normal life. Their children suffer the consequences, too”, she adds.

Finding solutions to stop cruelties towards women motivated her to start this small initiative.

EYAR: The name

Grace hit a low point and wanted to end her life.

“During those difficult times, I came across the word ‘EYAR’ – a tribal word which means destiny. This little word gave me a new meaning to aspire and to restore lost hope,” says Grace.

EYAR is the acronym for Enthusiastic Young Adventurous Realistic.

“I  started EYAR  to create awareness and entrepreneurial leadership among women and youth in the community,” she adds.

Journey as an entrepreneur

Grace wanted to be independent and started doing different kinds of work -from paperwork to farming, gardening, and poultry to sustain herself and her family.

She did this for many years but did not feel complete. She wanted to do something that drove change in society.

“I gave up farming and invested my savings into my pilot project, and started EYAR in October 2019,” she says.

Grace started working with a small group of young untrained women and youth and scripted stories based on domestic violence. She used storytelling as a tool to create awareness. In her entrepreneurial journey, she faced challenges like conflicts in the family, financial problems, and a hostile environment. But despite a lack of support and professional experience, Grace was determined to pursue this at any cost.

“It is still difficult to convince people and get support for women like me. It took confidence, perseverance, persistence, and courage to keep going,” she adds.

Work done by the organization

EYAR’s objective is to develop entrepreneurship and leadership skills in women and youth, enhance their economic development, and create a gender-equal society- hence stopping violence against women and children. The work done by them can be categorized into the following segments:

Training and film production: They conduct skill training in drama and acting, short film competitions, online fitness and dance training for women and youth, and produce films and songs in the local language on social issues

Reliefs and aids: During covid, they distributed food, sanitary napkins, stationery, masks, and sanitizers.

Education, Livelihood, and Micro enterprises:  They conduct skill-based training and provide livelihood support and microfinance to women.

Seminars, workshops, and awareness programs: Awareness programs on domestic violence, violence against women, effective use of technology, and workshops on equality and human rights.

Organic Farming & Gardening Experimentation, Research & Employment Generation: The Foundation has a farm shaped as the training ground for organic farming and a platform to promote community farming. It is currently developing a banana garden on its farm. The farm engages local, disoriented youths to earn a living from manual labor and planting.

Environment activities: They organized a tree plantation drive in collaboration and planted over 1500 trees.

EYAR focuses on conducting various education and awareness programs on gender equality and domestic violence. It uses Art (film and music) as a medium to create awareness and educate the community on social issues impacting women and youth. It engages with untrained talent in the community through various physical and digital activities.

They work on multiple projects-training for film productions and storytelling with practical sessions for young children.  

The revenue is used to support livelihood and micro-enterprises for vulnerable women, organic farming for employment generation, and environmental activities for the youth.

The impact of the Organisation

EYAR is a very young organization. It has directly impacted over 3000 women and youth through its programs.

Future plans

EYAR plans to build a Community center( the first of its kind in the community) to train women and local youth in skills for income-generation activities and leverage the state’s tourism potential. The project aims to explore latent talent in women to build their confidence, participation, and engagement at the household and community level and use the same as the source of income generation and social changes in the community.

Advice to new entrepreneurs

“If you have an aspiration to start, you need not sit back anymore, but it is also important to have faith in the idea and a clear vision,” is her message to women entrepreneurs.

Journey as a Shaktiprenuer

Grace is grateful to  STEP for believing in her and guiding her to pursue her vision.

“STEP is one of the finest incubation programs fostering aspiring and existing women social entrepreneurs,” she adds.

Before becoming a part of STEP, Grace felt lost. She had no idea about pitching and business plans and was looking for some direction to move forward when her mentor suggested STEP.

She is thankful to her mentor at STEP, Shashi Velath.

“Shashi was the perfect mentor for me and inspired me in every possible way. He helped me connect deeper with my vision and mission and helped me define my goals,” she adds.

Grace used STEP’s grant to create awareness programs and provide microfinance to women.

She particularly loved the storytelling session at STEP.  

“The session made me realize my strength as a woman,” she says proudly.

Grace, the person

Grace loves to read biographies of great people as she draws inspiration from their stories and words. She loves going to quiet and serene places for holidays.   Hiking is her favorite physical activity.

A quote that is the mantra of her life is:

“Know and Live, Learn and grow.”