Season 07, Ashutosh Garg, Entrepreneur, Female, English, India, Social Sector, NGO

Chitra Iyer, Co-Founder & CEO of Space2Grow, on Child Protection & Social Impact

Posted on by inknuts
27
Aug

Chitra Iyer, Co-Founder & CEO of Space2Grow, on Child Protection & Social Impact

  • A desire to take a path different from societal expectations
  • Early involvement in community work and teaching

Podcast

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Overview

In this insightful episode of The Brand Called You, host Ashutosh Garg interviews Chitra Iyer, Co-Founder & CEO of Space2Grow, a social impact consulting firm. With over 20 years of experience in the social sector, Chitra shares her journey of choosing social work over a corporate career and leading impactful initiatives in child protection, digital safety, and anti-human trafficking.

00:41-What Inspired Chitra Iyer to Choose the Social Sector Over a Corporate Career?

  • A desire to take a path different from societal expectations
  • Early involvement in community work and teaching
  • An interest in addressing real-world poverty and inequality rather than understanding them only in theory
  • A desire to stay close to reality and make a meaningful impact

02:44-How Does Chitra Sustain Motivation in Emotionally Demanding Fields?

  • Viewing motivation as a daily discipline rather than simply a mood
  • A personal anecdote from human trafficking rescue operations in West Bengal that demonstrated the resilience of survivors
  • Witnessing hope and transformation among survivors as a continuing source of motivation

05:36-What Is Space2Grow, and What Gap Does It Fill?

  • Introduction to Space2Grow as a social impact consulting firm
  • Focus areas include child protection, digital safety, and anti-human trafficking
  • Providing advisory and programmatic support to governments, philanthropic organizations, investors, and nonprofits
  • Supporting capacity building, technical expertise, and collective impact across the sector

08:19-What Are the Biggest Underestimated Threats to Children Today?

  • Children are digital natives with widespread access to devices, including in rural areas
  • Parents may focus on offline threats while underestimating digital risks
  • The need for digital etiquette, discipline, and safety awareness

09:48-What Are the Biggest Misconceptions About Child Safety?

  • Many believe threats come mainly from strangers, overlooking the risks posed by people children already know
  • Danger is often seen as external to the home or community, limiting prevention and timely support
  • Families may hesitate to address abuse involving someone familiar, reinforcing the misconception that threats only come from outsiders

12:01- Where Should Parents Focus Their Concerns About Technology?

  • Building open, non-judgmental communication with children
  • Recognizing the role of the wider ecosystem, including parents, schools, platforms, and law enforcement, in safeguarding children
  • Creating a safe space where children feel comfortable sharing concerns and seeking help in critical moments

13:48-How Has Human Trafficking Evolved in Recent Years?

  • Trafficking has shifted from primarily physical methods to digital channels, with technology increasingly used to lure victims
  • Changes have been driven by increased smartphone access and online visibility
  • Important legal milestones include Supreme Court judgments concerning child sexual abuse material and rehabilitation rights for victims

RESOURCES:

Learn more about Chitra Iyer: LinkedIn

Enjoyed This Podcast?

For businesses, child safety isn’t just a CSR issue—it’s a core business responsibility. If you wouldn’t want your own child to be unsafe on your platform, why tolerate those risks for any child?

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Profile

  • Chitra Iyer is the Co-Founder and CEO of Space2Grow, dedicated to helping organizations create meaningful and sustainable social change.
  • With over two decades of experience in the social sector, she has built a career focused on child protection, digital safety, and preventing human trafficking.
  • Chitra chose a purpose-driven path in social work over a conventional corporate career, bringing strategic thinking and leadership to complex social challenges.
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