23 Sep 2019
Nominate the next Changemaker
In many villages across India, access to basic facilities like healthcare, clean water, education and energy resources is still a big challenge for women. However, despite all odds, there are women who show tremendous courage and have been constantly striving to close the inequality gap between men and women.
These extraordinary women are ‘nation-builders’ in every way, driving progress and change in the fields of education, health and livelihoods. Very often, these brave local heroes go unnoticed but over the last 14 years, CII Foundation (CIIF) Woman Exemplar program has been trying to make a difference by creating a platform for these exceptional path-breakers.
The program identifies, recognizes and mentors exemplary women change-makers from grassroots, who overcame grave personal challenges to create transformative work impacting communities and providing new paradigms for social development.
The Woman Exemplar program celebrates the indefatigable spirit of women leaders at the grassroots. It is intended for last-mile grass-root level under–privileged women, from either rural or urban resource-poor areas, who have excelled as social change leaders in specific chosen fields. Since its inception in 2005, more than 80 women have been recognized, who further reach out to more than 1 million beneficiaries every year.
Selected by an eminent panel from Industry and social sector, the awardees are shortlisted by an external due-diligence partner, from hundreds of nominations received from various NGOs across the country. Three Exemplars receive a cash award of INR 3 lakhs at the CII Annual Session, in the presence of senior dignitaries and thought leaders from the government, business, media and civil society.
The program continues to work closely with all 15 Finalists each year to increase the scale and impact of their work through leadership trainings, mentorship, access to various platforms and an opportunity to become part of an all India Network of Women Change-makers. The women are scaling up their work exponentially and are being celebrated and recognized by organizations, like NITI Aayog, Sandvik India and many others. CIIF works to facilitate and connect corporates and mentors with these women and forge meaning partnerships.
CII Foundation is now taking nominations for the 16th edition of the Woman Exemplar Program. You may want to nominate self-motivated women who exhibit role leadership skills, have successfully mobilized resources, and have created a large scale impact in their communities. Women employees, women running their own initiatives, women volunteers, women in local governments or grassroots government employees who have undergone a journey of personal transformation and emerged as change makers can also be nominated.
Click Here to nominate the next ‘Woman Exemplar’
For any queries, do connect with Shivani.kumar@cii.in or Sukriti.tolani@cii.in