50 Exceptional Women Selected for the 2024-2025 WomenLeaders India Fellowship, Powered by Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices
In a ground-breaking move for women-led development, the Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices Global Partnership have announced the 50 inspiring women chosen for the 2024-2025 WomenLeaders India Fellowship. We, at Her Circle, are excited to join in as the Fellowship’s Digital Media Partner as these women take the next step into the programme. These social sector leaders and social entrepreneurs, selected for their remarkable work across Climate Resilience, Education, Livelihoods, and Sports for Development, are set to embark on a transformative journey over the next 10 months.
Empowering Women for Change
The second cohort of the WomenLeaders India Fellowship will see these exceptional women from across India participate in a structured leadership programme. The initiative aims to empower these change-makers by providing them unparalleled access to a global network of experts and leaders. Through a combination of leadership development webinars, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning, the Fellows will work on projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using innovative solutions to address some of India’s most pressing challenges.
Leadership That Drives Progress
The Fellowship, which will take place on September 13 and 14, will see Fellows gathered to share ideas and learn from experts in the social sector. Speaking about the launch of the Fellowship, Ms Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Foundation 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 WomenLeaders India Fellowship 2024-25 powered by Reliance Foundation and Vital Voices! The strong networks, joy and learning that women bring to other women, are the foundation of this Fellowship to strengthen and amplify social sector impact. We are privileged to be part of this programme 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 on the initiative.
The Fellowship’s Impact
During the 10-month programme, each Fellow will be supported in developing their personalised projects aimed at advancing the SDGs. They will also have access to mentorship for tailored guidance and a final in-person gathering at the end of the Fellowship, where they will reflect on their progress and celebrate their achievements.
The WomenLeaders India Fellowship is designed to build a powerful community of women leaders who can drive sustainable change, advancing gender equality and building resilient communities. By focusing on key areas such as climate resilience and education, the programme seeks to tackle the most urgent challenges faced by India today. This fellowship is part of the larger agenda of the Reliance Foundation, which is committed to enhancing India's development sector through women empowerment.
The success of the first cohort in 2022 has paved the way for this second round, as previous Fellows have reported significant gains in leadership opportunities, confidence, and participation in SDG-related projects. The programme is a testament to the power of women-led development and the positive impact it can have on India's future.