Women from across the country shared their experience and insights on running NGOs as part of a national women conclave in Jamia Hamdard
– Uzma Ausaf
October 8, 2025 was a glorious morning at Jamia Hamdard Convention Centre. The event was a confluence titled, Navigating Change, Driving Impact initiative, as a part of National Women NGO Conclave. More than 40 NGOs, including around 200 women, participated on the opening day. Heavy rain and traffic snarls of the previous day were ignored as women reached the venue full of good energy and cheer.
The much-anticipated event opened with the recitation of the Quran. A warm welcome address was given by Dr Reshma Nasreen, Professor, School of Management and Business and chairperson, Centre for Training and Development, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. Encouraging women to realise their full potential, Dr Nasreen emphasised unlocking the power of women. It was a positive talk meant to instil confidence among the participants.
It was a good beginning. It got better as veteran activist and chairperson of TWEET (The Women Education & Empowerment Trust), Rahamathunnisa A., highlighted the five objectives of the conclave. “To collaborate, and empower women through dialogue, sharing and caring. It will help participants how to legalise their work, comply with regulations and develop leadership qualities. We want to train them to identify and mobilise resources effectively,” she said, using her vast experience to virtually hand-hold the women audience. Her well-argued talk was warmly received by the women audience.
Equally impressive was Shaista Rafat of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind who urged the audience to be social leaders and not political leaders. “We have to focus on the society rather than the polity. We have less resources yet we are trying our best,” she said.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard. He said, “We are organising this conclave for women-led NGOs. We hope to bring the participants from across India to a common platform to enable them to understand the way to work effectively.” Dr Alam also tried to enlighten women to understand to apply for funds and register their organisations, two age-old problems for most non-governmental organisations. Titled LeadHerShip, it said it all about the subject and the focus of the well-received talk.
“The NGOs from all regions of mainland India besides the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are here to attend the conclave. It will give a sound platform for any aspiring women leaders. Bringing so many different women to this stage is by itself a mark of success,” he said.
Dr Alam was among a handful of men at the event dominated by women. He took the chance to emphasise the need for NGOs to be financially committed and transparent in their dealings. “The NGOs have to ensure their work helps the actual beneficiaries, particularly girls. They have to ensure that girls live their life with dignity and self-reliance,” he said, emphasising the need to give a helping hand to every girl child in life.
Then there was Dr Prachi Kaul, Director, India, Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, who opened a window of opportunity to Indian women by promising to connect them with their counterparts in Canada. “When we stay connected with the social work in our native country we stay in touch with the ground realities,” she said, adding, “It helps to make informed choices.”
The well-attended event was designed as a conclave for mutual learning and networking. It brought women from diverse fields to a common platform. There were social activists, doctors, media personalities, teachers, academics and others. Most had worked at the grassroots level and were here to share their experience with others. Many had worked in their specific field and were here to widen the window of opportunity. The women who had come from places like Kerala, Telangana, Andamans and Tamil Nadu, etc., utilised the opportunity to understand the difference in culture and education patterns too in different parts of the country.
The event concludes this Thursday with a directory release by Dr Alam and a special session too chaired by him. If the attendance on the concluding day is as enthusiastic as it was on the opening day, the delegates would have much to look forward to.
