The Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices have announced the inaugural cohort of the WomenLead India Fellowship with the aim of strengthening women in leadership roles in the social sector, and to provide them with a support system. The 50 selected women leaders will go through a curated 10-month programme, where they will be provided a course curriculum, access to a global network of leaders and influencers, and advanced mentoring support to enhance their knowledge and skills—all with the aim of enabling these women leaders with the ability to make a high community impact.
These 50 Fellows have been selected for their work around the themes of education, rural transformation, sports for development, and arts, culture and heritage. The Fellows, who come from social sector organisations, are working at the grassroots level across India’s rural and semi-urban expanse. Their inspiring ranks include entrepreneurs working on everything from waste management in southern coastal villages to affordable energy sources in north-east India.
The Fellowship was launched with the aim of enhancing India’s development sector ecosystem by empowering women’s leadership, and to help the nation achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Fellowship will adopt a participant-centric approach by providing each Fellow with the mentorship they need around their fields. The programme will also connect them across diverse thematic areas so that the Fellows learn from each other as well as from both global and Indian experiences. The WomenLead India Fellowship is therefore adopting a multilateral and interdisciplinary approach to strengthen the development sector ecosystem.
“My congratulations to the 50 exemplary women who have been selected for the first WomenLead India Fellowship. It has been a joy to learn about their inspiring journeys and transformational vision,” Mrs. Nita M Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, said on this momentous occasion. “I hope this Fellowship will be a force multiplier that further strengthens and amplifies their outstanding work with communities across India. Reliance Foundation is privileged to partner with Vital Voices in this incredible initiative to support our WomenLead India Fellows and be a part of their story.”
“I commend these 50 women leaders for rising up to the challenges people face in their communities to steer the way forward. They are shining examples of what the WomenLead India Fellowship is all about and I couldn't be prouder that Vital Voices is a part of their journey. We are enthusiastic about making a long-term investment in this inaugural cohort of Fellows, whom we believe will use their power to empower millions of others,” said Alyse Nelson, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Vital Voices. “We are thrilled to partner with Reliance Foundation on welcoming India’s next generation of women leaders into this esteemed Fellowship.”