Pooja Taparia is a visionary social entrepreneur and the Founder and Chief Executive of Arpan, a globally recognized non-profit dedicated to eliminating Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in India. Under her leadership, Arpan has become one of the world’s largest organizations in this field, impacting over 20 million children and adults through various outreach models.
Pooja’s journey began with a profound realization in 2004 when she witnessed a play on child sexual abuse. This experience ignited her passion to address this critical issue, leading to the establishment of Arpan as a Charitable Trust in 2007. Since then, she has transformed Arpan from a small startup into a global thought leader in the CSA space, with innovative impact models that work with a range of stakeholders, from children and parents to state bodies and teachers.
Under Pooja’s guidance, Arpan has been instrumental in breaking new ground in a complex social space, overcoming taboos and infrastructural challenges. Her efforts have significantly contributed to the Indian government’s implementation of CSA prevention concepts in life skills curriculum nationwide and the training of millions of children and teachers across the country.
Pooja’s work has earned her and Arpan numerous accolades, including the Architects of the Future Award from Austria, the WISE Award from Qatar Foundation, and the C. Henry Kempe Award from ISPCAN, USA. Her life’s work has been immortalized in the Waldzell Collection at the Melk Abbey library in Austria.
As a global thought leader, Pooja is part of the Champions Group, a leadership initiative by Oak Foundation, Switzerland, aimed at ending sexual violence against children worldwide. She has been recognized as a SHERO by Hershey India, with her inspiring story shared across the country.
Pooja is a TEDx speaker and frequently profiled for her expertise in child protection, talent management, fundraising and social entrepreneurship. Her insights continue to be sought by organizations like Bridgespan, Dasra and others. Her influence extends to academic circles, having been invited to speak at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Graduate School of Education and The Fletcher School at Tufts University.
Beyond her work at Arpan, Pooja advises multiple social impact startups and serves on the board of Sol’s ARC, a non-profit addressing challenges faced by struggling learners.
Her educational background includes degrees in Applied Art, Commerce, and Economics, complemented by an Executive Education course in Non-profit Management from Columbia University, NYC, USA.
With her unwavering commitment and visionary leadership, Pooja Taparia continues to drive Arpan’s mission forward, working tirelessly towards creating a world free from Child Sexual Abuse. Her multifaceted approach, combining grassroots work with policy advocacy, has positioned her as a key figure in the global fight against CSA. As she continues to inspire change and break societal taboos, Pooja’s impact resonates far beyond India’s borders, touching lives and shaping a safer future for children worldwide.