Fact Sheet
Women’s Empowerment Round Table
Discussion
Photo Credit: Christopher M. Wurst
The First lady participated in a round table
discussion on issues affecting Indian women. The
purpose of the discussion was to provide the First
Lady an opportunity to interact with a small group
of influential women who are strong advocates for
empowering women in India. The eight women who
participated in this discussion included:
Prof. Vijaya Khader, Dean of Home Science,
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Ms. Nalini Gangadharan, Executive Director, Child
and Progress (CAP), Hyderabad
Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Chairperson, Board of Governors,
WomenPowerConnect and Director, Centre for Social
Development
Nilofar Akhtar, Advocate, Bombay High Court
Ms. Shobana Nair, Principal, Hyderabad Public School
Ms Renana Jhabwalah, Senior Advisor and Board
Member, Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA)
Dr. Suchitra Vedanth, Director, Mahila Samakhiya,
Karnataka
Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Executive Director, Apollo
Hospital
Several women in this discussion are USAID’s
partners and received support to implement women’s
empowerment programs. There are many groups in India
that work to strengthen the autonomy and freedom of
women and protect them from violence, both within and
outside of government. The USG has worked in
partnership with public and private partners to
support education and vocational skills training for
girls, service provision and legal aid for girls and
women facing violence (including victims of
trafficking), and initiatives to support women’s
entrepreneurship, among others.There was an
informal exchange on issues facing women in India, and
efforts in place to empower women. There were no
formal presentations by the participants. Some of the
questions discussed during the round table included:
- What has the position of women in Indian society
changed over the last 15-20 years, for better or
worse?
- What specific vulnerabilities do women face
because of their gender and which women are most
vulnerable?
- What strategies are working to improve women’s
status and increase their opportunities? What else
is needed?
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