The Maaya Movement Institute (MMI) is a youth-led legal action, and research institute committed to creating a world where everyone can fully participate in civic, social, and economic life.

We convene field experts, democratize access to legal knowledge, and support youth-led responses to injustice, from Know Your Rights trainings to global policy research.

Our work spans civic technology, digital violence prevention, and post-crisis legal advocacy. It is grounded in the conviction that people should have the power and tools to shape the systems that shape their lives.

11+

team of youth volunteers

$5,000

donations & in-kind support

11

months of community building & action

OUR WORK

At MMI, we organize our work across four focus areas that reflect both urgent needs and strategic opportunities to drive impact. Each area connects legal research, advocacy, education, and civic technology, led by and for young people.

Post-Coup & Transitional Governance

We document legal and human rights risks under transitional and post-coup regimes. From case trackers to UN submissions, we support youth-led efforts to hold governments accountable and protect civil society.

Digital Gendered Violence

We combat digital violence that targets women, youth, and marginalized voices in civic and political life. Through events, toolkits, and civic tech development, we help build safer digital environments and advance legal protections.

Youth Rights & Systems Access

We support young people navigating criminalization, exclusion, or systemic barriers in housing, education, health, and legal systems. Our Know Your Rights programming equips youth with tools to safely and effectively advocate for themselves and their communities.

Legal Mobilization & Pipeline Projects

We connect youth legal researchers and students with opportunities to contribute to real-world justice work -- from amicus briefs to international legal advocacy. We also build mentorship, training, and research pipelines for the next generation of human rights movement advocates and lawyers.

FEATURED WORK

www.southasiacenter.upenn.edu/events/2025/04/21/bangladesh-human-rights-democracy-and-post-coup-governance

Bangladesh Human Rights Panel

Monday, April 24, 2025

MMI convened a high-level panel in partnership with the University of Pennsylvania’s South Asia Center and Perry World House to examine post-election governance and its impact on civil liberties and minority rights in Bangladesh.

Panelists explored how historical and recent political transitions have shaped the country’s democratic trajectory, as well as the regional and international dimensions of human rights protection and democratic stability.

Speakers included Paulo Casaca (Exec. Director, South Asia Democratic Forum), Tasmiah N. Ahmed (Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh), Dr. Nasir Uddin (Harvard University), and Urmee Hossain (Fmr., Yunus Centre).

Digital Gendered Violence (DGV) Week

August 11-15, 2025

A national week of discussion & action spotlighting digital gendered violence against youth in public life. Programming includes legal workshops, technology demos, and resource launches for youth organizers and allies.

Fremont Know Your Rights Workshop

MMI is co-developing a Know Your Rights workshop series in partnership with the East Bay Community Care Network to respond to a city ordinance that criminalizes offering aid to unhoused individuals. The workshops equip youth with legal knowledge and practical tools to navigate housing insecurity, access emergency services, and support their unhoused peers.

PILLARS OF ACTION

Youth Legal Empowerment

Equip young people with the legal knowledge, tools, and confidence to understand and assert their rights.

Participatory Legal & Policy Action

Ensure youth voices shape laws, policies, and institutions that shape their lives.

Justice-Centered Research & Technology

Build knowledge, identify and verify the truth, fight injustice.

OUR VALUES

Full Participation

Everyone deserves real power to shape the systems that shape their lives.

Youth Leadership

Young people aren’t waiting to take action, they’re leading now.

Global Solidarity

We move with movements, across borders, systems, and time.

Justice Through Access

We democratize legal knowledge so youth can safeguard their rights, no law degree required.

Truth as Power

We identify, verify, and amplify truth, centering lived experiences and confronting denial with evidence.

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