鈥淲e鈥檙e not just producing news. We鈥檙e driving change,鈥 says Bhanupriya Rao, founder of . In a media landscape dominated by short-term metrics and fleeting trends, Indian outlet BehanBox stands out as a platform grounded in deep storytelling and long-term visionary thinking. By focusing on the intersection of gender, marginalization, and public policy, the organization has carved out a space in journalism where the voices of women and gender-diverse individuals take center stage and inspire societal transformation.聽
Elevating Women’s Voices in Crisis
Founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, BehanBox (meaning “Voices of Sisters”) emerged at a moment that underscored women’s vital yet often overlooked role in Indian society. At the height of the crisis, tens of thousands of female health workers, crucial to India鈥檚 pandemic response, went on strike for better pay and protection.
Inspired by this, Rao drew on her background as a public policy advocate and grassroots activist to create a new narrative. 鈥淕ender was still a very minute part of the news鈥, she explains, so BehanBox set out to report 鈥渁cross the axis of marginalization.鈥 This meant uncovering how policies and systems uniquely affect women and gender-diverse individuals while spotlighting solutions that inspire change.
Innovation in Storytelling聽
From the beginning, BehanBox embraced innovative approaches to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. One early success came through a collaboration with Article 14 to investigate the lives of female health workers. Using formats like short audio clips on social media, the team brought these underreported stories to a broader audience. The impact was swift: their work not only led to increased government incentives but also sparked a wider conversation about the critical contribution of female healthcare workers.Doubling down on this success, BehanBox expanded its coverage to working-class women, ultimately creating the . Today, says Rao, 鈥渁nyone talking about women in work comes to talk to us.鈥
At its core, BehanBox addresses public policy issues with a focus on marginalization and inequality. However, showcasing inequalities isn鈥檛 enough. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 expose this reality and call it a day,鈥 says Rao, noting that such reporting often leaves audiences angry and frustrated. Instead, BehanBox strives to inspire change by offering 鈥渁n alternative imagination鈥濃攁 vision of actionable steps toward a gender-equal India.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 expose this reality and call it a day,鈥 says Rao, noting that such reporting often leaves audiences angry and frustrated. Instead, BehanBox strives to inspire change by offering 鈥an alternative imagination鈥濃攁 vision of actionable steps toward a gender-equal India.
Long-Term Value Over Short-Term Metrics
Unlike other media outlets chasing viral content, BehanBox deliberately prioritizes long-term value. Rao reflects, 鈥淧eople kept telling us that text is pass茅. It鈥檚 not true.鈥 While experimenting with podcasts and video, the team remains committed to text-based journalism: 鈥淲e want to write knowledge for posterity, which has historical value.鈥澛
This approach is also reflected in how the organization measures its impact. Rather than focusing on page views or sign-up growth, BehanBox tracks long-term qualitative indicators, such as understanding鈥搘hich can be as small as sparking new thoughts鈥揳nd having its content used in educational and policy spaces. The team also assesses how their journalism drives action and influences other organizations. Trust is central to the process, especially given the polarizing nature of gender topics. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 say anything lightly,鈥 says Rao. 鈥淓ven the smallest point, we back up.鈥 This rigor has shielded the outlet from online trolling, establishing BehanBox as a space where readers expand their knowledge and can start meaningful conversations.
Illustration by Urvi Sawant for BehanBox article ““, written by Saumya Kalia
Blending Mission and Revenue
The organization鈥檚 strategy for business sustainability is equally forward-thinking. BehanBox resists the temptation to follow donor trends or pivot to what simply appears popular. 鈥淔ive years ago, no one was talking about niche and community鈥攃licks were everything,鈥 Rao explains. 鈥淚t would have been very easy to be swayed by that.鈥 Instead, the platform is funded through a combination of grants for reporting projects and a membership program still in its early stages. Additionally, the team offers storytelling services, leveraging internal expertise to help feminist organizations communicate their message efficiently.
Staying true to its purpose, BehanBox has explored new ways to engage its audience. For example, the team plans to introduce a monthly newsletter tailored to workers across various sectors. A major archival project will also document the experiences of healthcare workers over the past two decades. Blending oral histories and policy archives, it will highlight the stories of 20 women, tracing their journey from 2005 to 2025 and preserving it for future generations.聽
Through initiatives like these, BehanBox not only redefines journalism, but also inspires a vision of what media can achieve when it prioritizes well-reported journalism and community impact over conventional metrics.
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This story is part of IPI鈥檚 Local Journalism Project. The publication of these case studies 鈥 part of IPI鈥檚 wider work mapping, networking and supporting quality innovative media serving local communities 鈥 is supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
