As the world grapples with multiple crises, supporting women’s economic empowerment and leadership can unlock sustainable solutions that benefit the planet, people, and economies. As the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 68) convenes at the UN Headquarters in New York to discuss how to address poverty and strengthen institutions and financing for advancing gender equality, this photo essay offers a glimpse into women-led development in India and how women are leading change across sectors to eradicate poverty.
The photo essay is based on "Hum: When Women Lead",
a coffee table book produced by UN Women India in collaboration with the Ford
Foundation. The book features an anthology of 75 stories on Indian women's
transformative leadership, documented by an all-women team. It was launched in
New Delhi on March 12, 2024.
Shruti Nagvanshi's tireless activism for human rights and
social justice in Uttar Pradesh earned her recognition at the 68th Commission
on the Status of Women at the UN Headquarters. Her pivotal role underscores the
vital contribution of grassroots activists like Nagvanshi in advancing gender
equality globally, as highlighted in the UN Women India and Ford Foundation's collaborative effort, "Hum:
When Women Lead." This coffee table book features an anthology of 75
stories on Indian women's transformative leadership, documented by an all-women
team, showcasing the resilience and impact of leaders like Nagvanshi across
diverse sectors. Shruti Nagvanshi stories under political leadership and
community mobilization.
Citation of Shruti Nagvanshi from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh as
follows:
“The smiles
on people’s faces when we bring them their rights are what keep me going.”
Shruti
Nagvanshi’s story--filled with determination and resilience--is extraordinary,
not just because it’s from a time when opportunities for
girls were
scarce, but also because her father was determined to pull her out of school
after fifth grade. He felt that was enough education for her to be able to
communicate through letters. But despite these early obstacles, and being
married at 18, Shruti completed her graduation. Partly this was Because of her
mother’s unwavering support and partly because Shruti was lucky that her
husband, a social Activist, encouraged her to continue to study and learn. “My
husband’s Ideological support,” she says, “has been invaluable.”
Together with
her husband, Shruti dedicated herself to bringing positive change to
marginalized communities. It Began with her involvement in different local
programmes in Varanasi, aimed at empowering and uplifting underprivileged
Communities. Subsequently, she connected with the Uttar Pradesh chapter of the
UN Youth Organization, reinforcing her commitment to making a difference in the
lives of those in need. For over two decades now, Shruti has been actively
working in the field of human rights and social justice, advocating for the
rights of Dalit and Adivasi communities through campaigns and movements aimed
at fighting discrimination and injustice, she is also the founder of the
Savitri Bai Phule Mahila Panchayat, a women’s collective that seeks to empower
religious minorities. She co-founded The JanMitra Nyas and People’s Vigilance
Committee on Human Rights, (JMN/PVCHR), an organization that works to break the
culture of silence and curb the systemic abuse of marginalized communities, in
order to create a world where everyone can live with dignity.
Shruti’s
journey hasn’t been without its fair share of challenges, though. She faced
resistance from powerful figures, Initially, her parents-in-law, too, were
uncomfortable with Shruti and her husband working for the ‘untouchables’. But
they eventually emerged as the couple’s strongest supporters.
“Passion and
commitment are ways to overcome short-term obstacles and long-term challenges
in life,’’ she says, adding that courage, patience, and continuous non-violent
resistance have become part of her life now. Shruti emphasizes that passion and
commitment are key to overcoming obstacles, both short-term and long-term.
Courage, patience, and continuous non-violent resistance are now integral to
her life’s philosophy. Her story is an inspiring tale of transcending societal
barriers and dedicating one’s life to the pursuit of equality and justice for
the most vulnerable segments of society.
#HumanRights #SocialJustice #Inspiration
Shruti Nagvanshi: Championi... by pvchr.india9214
You can now access the digital copy of "हम | When Women Lead" on our website. Here is the link:
https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2024/06/hum
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