Anita Sanchez and Indigenous social entrepreneur, Hasina Kharbhih, explore matrilineal leadership, climate justice, and the prevention of human trafficking through culturally rooted, community-based innovations.
In this episode, Anita and Hasina explore:
- Growing up as an Indigenous woman in a matrilineal society
- The loss of land and how vulnerability gets created
- The 12 pillars of Hasina’s Impulse Model
- Combating human trafficking effectively across South and Southeast Asia
- The connection between climate change, migration, and human trafficking
- The Journey with Purpose Initiative and showcasing Indigenous resilience
- Reviving Indigenous Wisdom Through Land and Art
- Shared farming on reclaimed Indigenous land, seed banking, and traditional textile production as migration-prevention and cultural preservation
- The rise of female voices and matrilineal leadership
- How ancient Indigenous wisdom offers real-world solutions to global crises
About Hasina Kharbhih:
For 36 years now, Hasina has been working to provide sustainable livelihoods in a safe environment for women and children. What started out as a mission in her home state of Meghalaya has today evolved into a global program that aims to put an end to human trafficking and exploitation worldwide. Hasina’s work stands on two pillars: the first is Impulse NGO Network which was conceptualised in 1987 and is a significant force against human trafficking today; the second pillar is Impulse Social Enterprises which aims to promote local artisans and create sustainable livelihood through its artisan brand Impulse Empower, that helps prevent unsafe migration, which often leads to human trafficking.
You can read more about Hasina’s work by visiting the websites linked above, or read about some of the incredible people and ideas that have enriched her life over the years by exploring her blog here.
“The economy of movement is the vital importance of giving choices to women who are the custodians of taking care of the land, the property, nature, and the family, where we capitalize on the traditional skills of these women, where they have a choice to be entrepreneurial from their home. Everywhere in the world, you’ll find indigenous people rich in craft, textiles, and all kinds of beautiful art. What we try to do is revive, restore.” – Hasina Kharbhih