Our fifth edition of the 2023 Beyond Victims Series brings you stories of inspiring women leaders who have been leading change in South Asia.
This edition features the remarkable stories of Romina Khurshid Alam, Pampha Bhusal, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Atishi Marlena. These stories, contributed by our dedicated volunteers Vasundhra and Ira, are a testament to women's leadership strength and resilience.
Romina Khurshid Alam
Former Member of Parliament, Pakistan
As the convener of the Pakistan Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs, Ms Alam was a frontrunner in establishing the country’s first digitised, localised knowledge hub for sustainable development. She also advocated for the continuous involvement of the grassroots, local actors in Pakistan’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals. Under her leadership, the government works on 17 SDGs, encompassing 169 targets.
– United Cities and Local Governments - Asia Pacific
Pampha Bhusal
Former Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal
Having formerly served in Nepal’s cabinet as the minister of energy, water resources, and irrigation, Ms Bhusal facilitated free electricity for Below Poverty Line Nepali citizens. She has also proposed implementing an integrated farming system and modern tools in Nepal’s largely traditional agriculture ecosystem. Ms Bhusal also championed the cause of indigenous fertilizer production, thereby reducing import burdens and optimizing the utilization of barren land swathes.
– Kathmandu Post, 2021
Nirmala Sitharaman
Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, India
India’s current and first woman finance minister, Ms Sitharaman, has spearheaded several significant economic milestones. Besides enabling a successful merger of prominent public sector banks, India became the only country globally to provide free rations to a massive 80 crore people during the COVID-19 pandemic under her leadership. She also led the economic task force during the pandemic, namely the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan Initiative relief package, which offered relief initiatives worth Rs 20,000 crore.
– Multiple Sources
Atishi Marlena
Minister of Education, Culture, PWD and Tourism, Government of Delhi, India
Serving as a cabinet minister in the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Ms Marlena heads significant portfolios like finance, education, women, and child development. In addition to actively participating in organic farming practices, she has been involved in designing and implementing progressive educational systems, reflected in Delhi’s public education system, which is ranked on par with private establishments.
– Outlook India, April 2023
Project Management: Vatsla Srivastava
Contributors: Vasundhra and Ira
Edited by: Sugandha
Design: Ragini Puri
Template: Vida Seraphina (https://vidaseraphina.dk/)
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