Nanda Gaikwad

District Coordinator – Janawadi Rural Development

Parbaani, Maharashtra – India

Nanda believes in collective leadership and empowering women through building collectives.

She was elected village chief from 2005 – 2010 and wants to continue fighting the elections and be an example to other people in her community.

Nanda has worked with women’s groups, elected representatives, child labor organizations, counseling centers, and organic farmers. She has a very focused and structured approach to each issue.

With women, she sees the importance of making sure that they reach decision-making status through economic empowerment. If women start businesses and make an income, they can make financial and educational decisions, while gaining respect.

Nanda has also worked with single women’s groups and advocated for their rights. She and the organization held public meetings on removing the taboo of second marriages for divorced, separated, or widowed women. She has worked with young people to conduct safety audits and taken the recommendations to make schools safer for girls to local police, the school headmaster, and the education minister.

Rise Up Cohort: CIP India – 2018