She has been associated with various aspects of social development for over three decades. An awardee of many prestigious fellowships, Jaya is also a recipient of the UNESCO Aschberg Bursary to study the Theatre of the Oppressed with Augusto Boal. As a theatre professional she has developed and staged over 20 major productions and around 1000 studio, street and community performances. Her productions have won the prestigious Sahitya Kala Parishad “Best Play of the Year”, have been showcased in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Urdu theatre festival, Sriram summer festival, theatre for Truth festival etc.

Jaya was CEO of Pravah and led the process to set up the National Centre for Children and Youth in Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. She has been a guest faculty in Bachelor of Elementary Education, TIE, National Museum Institute and Disom School of Leadership. Jaya has designed and led various public campaigns around Seeds-sovereignty, Child Rights, Gender-based violence, Anti-plastic movements and Proactive Peacebuilding.