The third session of the day focused on “Spotlighting Best Practices” with the objective of showcasing innovative women-led NGOs from across India that are implementing successful models of women empowerment. The session was moderated by Dr. Nudrat Moini Rahman, Associate Professor, School of Management and Business Studies (SMBS), Jamia Hamdard.
Dr. Habeebul Rahiman V.M, General Secretary of the Model Village Trust (MVT), Delhi, spoke about the pivotal role of villages in India’s development. Since its inception, MVT has adopted 43 villages across 8 states, implementing transformative initiatives. In addition to general development projects, the Trust has designed targeted programs for women, including maternal health initiatives, menstrual hygiene management, monthly vaccination drives, and adult literacy centres for women.
Adv. Faritha J, Vice President of the Women’s Initiative to Nurture Growth of Society (WINGS), Kerala, highlighted the organization’s efforts in promoting women’s entrepreneurship, legal awareness, and the formation of self-help groups. She elaborated on WINGS’ four specialized cells: the Legal Cell, which supports law professionals and women seeking legal awareness; the Fitness Cell, which focuses on mental and physical well-being; the Empowerment Cell, dedicated to leadership, career growth, self-defence, and financial stability; and the PR Cell, which works to strengthen outreach and visibility.
Ms. Kriti Agarwal, representing the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Ahmedabad, shared insights on SEWA Bharat—founded in 1984 as a federation of women-led organizations supporting informal women workers across India. SEWA empowers women through livelihoods, social security, education, and health, while advocating for self-reliance, leadership, and social justice. She highlighted key initiatives such as the Aagewan Vikas Programme (AVP), Youth Development Programs, SEWA Shakti Kendras, and NAVNIT, all of which nurture grassroots women leadership.
Adv. Huma Begum, Women’s Coordinator at the Society for Bright Future (SBF), Delhi, emphasized the need for gender-sensitive interventions in emergencies. She shared SBF’s experiences of deploying women volunteers during crises, underlining the importance of women supporting each other and creating a chain of partnerships for greater impact.
The youngest speaker of the session, Ms. Asya Sumair from Girl Up India, reflected on how young women are mobilizing in universities and educational spaces. Girl Up, initiated by the UN Foundation in 2010, now has 1,123 clubs across India with over 25,000 members. Its work spans gender justice, combating gender-based violence, and promoting mental health. Ms. Sumair concluded with Project SURKH, an initiative aimed at normalizing conversations around menstrual hygiene and increasing access to sanitary napkins.