Shreya Nair, a 16-year-old student, envisions a world where women lead, feel safe, and have equal access to education without gender-based barriers. Inspired by her great-grandmothers and driven by alarming statistics, she co-founded the SHE Initiative (See Her Empowered) with her best friend to uplift underprivileged girls through literacy, skill-building, and self-defense programs. Workshops like Shiksha Ki Shakti and Surakshit Kadam have impacted many, instilling confidence and safety. Shreya emphasizes that educating girls benefits generations, increases opportunities, and drives societal change. She calls for empathy in action -through volunteering, advocacy, and storytelling-to help girls achieve their dreams and transform communities. Shreya Nair , a 16-year-old student at The Shriram Millennium School, Noida. She is a change-maker, academic achiever, and co-founder of The S.H.E Initiative (See. Her. Empowered.) — a student-led movement empowering underprivileged girls and women through education, self-defense, and health awareness. A passionate advocate for equity and empathy, she has led impactful workshops for domestic workers, initiated literacy sessions for young girls, and taught self-defense to many underprivileged girls and women. Shreya is the Vice Head of the Paryavaran Club, where she actively promotes sustainability and social responsibility. A brown belt in karate and an aspiring biologist with a keen interest in stem cell research and genetics, Shreya blends scientific curiosity with social consciousness. She believes empathy is not a soft skill, but a force for change — and that true leadership begins when we listen, include, and uplift those around us. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx