“When women lead, we make impossible change a reality” – Ms Isha Ambani
- Women social sector leaders and social entrepreneurs from across India, selected for their work in Climate Resilience, Education, Livelihoods and Sports for Development
- The Fellows will be engaged in a 10-month structured programme with access to a network of global leaders and influencers
- Through this Fellowship, Reliance Foundation is taking forward its agenda for women empowerment to enhance India’s development sector ecosystem
Mumbai, September 13, 2024: Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices are excited to announce the selection of 50 exceptional women chosen for the 2024-2025 WomenLeaders India Fellows. This second cohort of the Fellowship identifies women with deep commitment to driving change within their communities as entrepreneurs, social innovators, and leaders.
During India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 the focus shifted for the first time, from women’s development to women-led development. India’s collective and unwavering dedication to champion ‘Gender Equality and Empowering All Women and Girls’ secured a firm place in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
In line with this vision, the WomenLeaders India Fellowship will provide leadership capacity building for talented women leaders, including social sector leaders and social entrepreneurs.
The WomenLeaders India Fellowship 2024-2025 kicked off with an in-person convening in Mumbai on September 13-14, 2024, where the Fellows had the opportunity to connect and set their tone for the Fellowship journey.
Speaking on the launch announcement, Ms Isha Ambani said, “When women lead, we make impossible positive change a reality, we bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. Congratulations to the 50 Fellows selected for WomenLeadersIndia Fellowship 2024-25 powered by Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices! The strong networks, joy and learning that women bring to other women, is the foundation of this Fellowship to strengthen and amplify social sector impact. We are privileged to be part of this program in creating transformations together for the social sector.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Reliance Foundation to support India’s next generation of women leaders who are truly at the forefront of driving social change. We believe that by harnessing and leveraging our collective network and resources, we are able to provide women leaders with support, mentorship and guidance as they strive to be a catalyst for change in India and beyond,” said Ms Alyse Nelson, President and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership.
Throughout the next ten months, the Fellows will engage in virtual webinars, leadership development trainings, and community events designed to enhance their unique skill set and build their network. Additionally, each Fellow will be paired with a mentor for personalized guidance for the duration of their journey. The Fellowship will end with a final in-person gathering where fellows will reflect on their overall progress and celebrate their accomplishments. WomenLeaders India seeks to ignite sustainable change across India by leveraging the power of women’s leadership across India.
The WomenLeaders India Fellows 2024-25 are recognized for their impactful work across four critical areas: Climate Resilience, Education, Sports for Development, and Livelihood Generation, using innovative solutions to address some of India’s most pressing challenges. From empowering future generations to transforming communities, these Fellows are leading efforts for lasting economic, social, and environmental change, advancing gender equality and strengthening community resilience through collaborative, forward-thinking initiatives and are true catalysts for change.
The Fellows in the inaugural cohort in December 2022, were selected for their work on Education, Rural Transformation, strengthening livelihoods, as well as Sports for Development from various organisations, working at the grassroots level across rural and semi-urban areas of the country. Working on a range of issues and geographies from waste management in southern coastal villages to affordable energy sources in north-east India the first cohort Fellows reported increased leadership opportunities, enhanced confidence and improved participation in SDG-related projects in their work.
Learn more about the Fellows and follow the program on social media using #WomenLeadersIndia.
About Reliance Foundation
Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, aims to play a catalytic role in addressing India’s development challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions. Led by Smt. Nita M Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance Foundation is relentlessly working for the overall well-being and enhanced quality of life for all, focusing on rural transformation, education, health, sports for development, disaster management, women empowerment, urban renewal and arts, culture and heritage, and has touched the lives of over 77 million people across India, in over 55,550 villages and urban locations. Learn more.