Akhil Neelam GRÓ GEST alumnus: Political parties crucial for advancing women’s political participation
Akhil Neelam, a distinguished alumnus of the GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GRÓ GEST 2023), is a passionate social entrepreneur and policy professional dedicated to promoting gender equality and inclusive politics in South Asia. As the co-founder of the Centre for Gender And Politics (CGAP), Akhil leads a volunteer-driven think tank that has mobilized over 130 professionals from 14 countries to drive research and advocacy work on gender-inclusive politics. With a background in Mechanical Engineering and Liberal Arts, he has also played a pivotal role in implementing large-scale education reforms in India, benefitting over 6 million students through innovative EdTech initiatives.
Akhils final project at GRÓ GEST focused on women’s partipation in politics. „I conducted a comparative study analyzing women’s political representation in India and Iceland. My research examined how these two countries, starting from similar levels of women’s representation (approximately 5%) in their parliaments in 1975, took drastically different trajectories - with Iceland achieving 48% representation, while India reached 14% by 2023.
The project was particularly significant for India as it offered valuable insights into how political parties can effectively drive change in gender representation. Through mixed-method research including document analysis and interviews with 10 political party representatives and 6 key informants in Iceland, I examined how parties shaped gender equality agendas through manifestos, internal quotas, and other measures.
I chose this topic because, as the co-founder of Centre for Gender And Politics (CGAP), I recognized that political parties are crucial gatekeepers for improving women’s political participation. Understanding Iceland’s successful journey - particularly the role of political parties in achieving near-parity - could provide valuable lessons for Indian political institutions and advocacy groups. I was also encouraged by my co-founder Sugandha as the research was particularly timely given ongoing discussions about women’s reservation (now a law) in India’s parliament. It aligned perfectly with CGAP’s mission of promoting gender-inclusive politics in South Asia.
Since this is a comparative study, this project is also important to Iceland’s context as it explored possible learnings from India. This project was awarded a 'Special Mention' during the programme, reflecting its relevance and quality of analysis,“ says Akhil.
GRÓ GEST provides global outlook
Akhil says his experience at the GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training (GRÓ GEST) programme significantly enhanced his theoretical understanding of gender equality. “As a male ally working in gender equality, the programme provided me with crucial theoretical frameworks and academic foundations that I previously lacked. What made this learning particularly rich was the diverse composition of our cohort - 23 fellows from four continents brought unique perspectives on gender equality challenges and solutions.
Discussions with colleagues from Kosovo to Kenya helped me understand how gender intersects with different cultural, political, and economic contexts. This global outlook has been invaluable in my work at CGAP, helping me design more culturally sensitive and effective interventions across South Asia.
The programme has also given me access to an incredible network of changemakers. Their work continues to inspire and inform my approach,” says Akhil.
Academic rigor and practical insights into gender equality
„The GEST programme offered a unique blend of academic rigor and practical insights into gender equality. The academic breadth was exceptional, with visiting professors who flew in from different parts of the globe - from Jamaica to Austria to India. Each professor brought their specific expertise, creating a rich learning environment.
My research on women’s political representation allowed me to deeply immerse in Iceland’s political history. This academic work was complemented by practical exposure through field visits. Particularly memorable was our field trip studying climate change impacts, which highlighted the interconnections between gender equality and environmental issues.
The programme’s structure, combining theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, helped me develop a more nuanced understanding of gender equality work, ” says Akhil.
Insights into Iceland’s Accessible Political Landscape
Akhil says his experience in Iceland profoundly reshaped his understanding of political engagement and accessibility. “What struck me most about Iceland was the incredible accessibility of its political leadership - something unimaginable in many South Asian countries. For my research on women’s political representation, I found myself casually interviewing party leaders who would be nearly impossible to reach in my home country.
My supervisor Rósa, a known policy leader, opened many doors, connecting me with key figures who shaped Iceland’s journey toward gender equality in politics. One surreal moment stands out: my colleague Irma and I actually rang the doorbell at the President’s official residence - and someone answered! The parliament building became another surprise. I could simply walk in to observe proceedings whenever I wanted, immersing myself in Iceland’s political culture. These experiences weren’t just valuable for my research; they showed me a different model of democracy - one where political leaders remain accessible to citizens and researchers alike. This stark contrast to the heavily guarded, hierarchical political spaces I was familiar with gave me fresh perspectives on what inclusive democracy could look like.”
Transformative Experience at GRÓ GEST
In his reflections on the GRÓ GEST programme, Akhil Neelam describes his experience as nothing short of transformative. He says the programme offered a unique blend of academic rigor and practical insights into gender equality, which proved essential in shaping his understanding of the field.
“The academic breadth was exceptional, with visiting professors who flew in from different parts of the globe - from Jamaica to Austria to India. Each professor brought their specific expertise, creating a rich learning environment. My research on women’s political representation allowed me to deeply immerse in Iceland’s political history. This academic work was complemented by practical exposure through field visits. Particularly memorable was our field trip studying climate change impacts, which highlighted the interconnections between gender equality and environmental issues. The programme’s structure, combining theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, helped me develop a more nuanced understanding of gender equality work,” Akhil concludes.
Akhil Neelam’s time in Iceland was filled with unforgettable experiences that left a lasting impression on him. One of his favorite pastimes became indulging in the “therapeutic geothermal pools,” which provided him with relaxation and enjoyment throughout his stay.
He also enjoyed the unique experience of commuting on e-bikes through Reykjavik’s streets, which he says added a sense of adventure to his daily routine. As well as the magical sight of “witnessing the northern lights dance across the night sky.”
In addition to these delightful moments, he encountered a memorable lesson during a road trip when his car got stuck in sudden snowfall. This unexpected challenge taught him the importance of adaptability, as they accepted help from the other commuters to get the car started. Akhil’s experience served as “a quick lesson to Iceland’s rapidly changing weather and emphasized how crucial it is to plan your travel as per the weather updates.”
Building Lasting Connections
Akhil Neelam cherishes the lasting connections he formed during the GRÓ GEST programme, which he says have blossomed into impactful collaborations. Akhil’s friendship with Aditi, a fellow 2023 GRÓ GEST alumna from India, led to one of his most exciting ventures: a podcast titled ‘Worth Asking: Gender, Politics, and South Asia’. “Together, we worked on a podcast that brings women political leaders’ voices from South Asia to global audiences,” he says, highlighting how their shared GRÓ GEST experience provided them with “the theoretical foundation and practical insights to create meaningful content that explores gender equality in politics.”
Akhil’s collaborative spirit extends beyond this project, as he has also partnered with Edgar, a fellow GRÓ GEST 2023 alumnus from Mozambique. “We recently conducted a session on gender-inclusive policymaking for a youth group in his country. These cross-continental collaborations perfectly embody what makes the GEST network so special. We stay connected through regular WhatsApp conversations, and I have an ambitious goal to visit each of my fellow alumni in their home countries. There’s something powerful about how our shared experience in Iceland has created lasting bonds that transcend geographical boundaries.”
Relationships that continue to inspire
For current GRÓ fellows, Akhil offers valuable advice: “Make the most of both the academic and cultural opportunities. While the course and project work are intense, take time to explore Iceland - it offers unique perspectives that enrich your learning experience. Visit the geothermal pools, they're perfect for both relaxation and informal discussions with your cohort.
Don’t hesitate to share your experiences and challenges - your perspectives are equally valuable to the learning environment.
On a practical note: invest in good winter clothes, remember there’s no such thing as bad weather in Iceland, only inappropriate clothing!
Most importantly, nurture the connections you make. Some of my most meaningful collaborations, including our current podcast project, emerged from friendships formed during the programme. These relationships continue to inspire and support our work in advancing gender equality across regions,” says Akhil Neelam, GRÓ GEST 2023 alumnus.