The session “Road Ahead: Reinventing Women-Led NGOs” was chaired by Ms. Rahmathunnissa A, Chairperson of TWEET. She invited distinguished speakers to share their experiences and insights on advancing women-led NGOs and promoting inclusive development.
Ms. Abha Rani, Chairperson and Managing Director (CMD) of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), presented the corporation’s vision and initiatives under the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. She explained that NMDFC’s motto is to empower minority communities, particularly women, through financial inclusion and livelihood opportunities. She outlined the four flagship schemes of the corporation — Term Loan Scheme, Education Loan Scheme, Micro-Financing Scheme, and Virasat Scheme, which supports traditional artisans and craftsmen. Notably, about 90% of the beneficiaries under these schemes are women, reflecting NMDFC’s strong commitment to women’s economic empowerment. Ms. Rani also highlighted the PM Vikas Scheme, a nationwide skill development initiative benefiting over 27 lakh individuals, and informed about NMDFC’s new partnership with the State of Jharkhand through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). She concluded by emphasizing NMDFC’s role in fostering self-reliance, financial access, and inclusive growth for minority women at the grassroots.
Ms. Samina Bano, Founder & CEO of the RightWalk Foundation, shared her personal journey of breaking barriers in a highly conservative environment. With education as her tool of empowerment, she rose to become a management consultant in the United States before returning to India to transform the education system. Through her pioneering efforts on the Right to Education (RTE) Act in Uttar Pradesh, over one lakh children have been enrolled in schools, creating pathways for educational inclusion. She concluded by encouraging women leaders to persist despite obstacles, holding firm to their vision of empowerment.
Adv. Sana Siddiqui, Executive Director of Multiple Action Research Group (MARG), New Delhi, focused her talk on the Constitutional values of equality and fraternity. She highlighted the concept of “invisible leadership” — the often-unacknowledged yet impactful role women play across sectors. Advocating for assertive rather than aggressive leadership, she urged women to claim their rightful space in society, affirming that as half the population, women must occupy half the decision-making spaces. She concluded by stressing the importance of self-agency, dignity, and equal participation in leadership and governance.
Ms. Gargi Rawat, Senior News Anchor at NDTV, spoke about the role of communication and media in advancing women’s empowerment. She observed that while mainstream news today often prioritizes sensationalism over social issues, NGOs and grassroots initiatives still carry transformative stories that must be shared. She recalled how NGOs were once demonized but proved indispensable during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing relief and support. Ms. Rawat called on women and NGOs to reclaim their voices, use alternative platforms such as social media, podcasts, and digital storytelling, and actively promote their work.
In summary, the session highlighted diverse pathways for reinventing women-led NGOs — through financial inclusion, education, constitutional rights, and strategic communication. The speakers collectively emphasized the importance of resilience, visibility, and assertive leadership in shaping a more equitable future.