The Week That Was: IND beat PAK, Women Achiever Awards & More

By: WE Staff | Sunday, 12 October 2025

From boardrooms to battlegrounds, stadiums to startups, Indian women are breaking barriers and redefining leadership across every industry and sphere. Whether it's historic appointments in politics and administration, landmark victories in sports, pioneering roles in science and tech, or entrepreneurial success stories, the empowerment of Indian women is no longer a movement; it's a nationwide transformation. Their achievements are not only reshaping societal norms but also inspiring generations to aim higher and dream bigger.

The WER Team has been closely following and celebrating these milestones throughout the week. Here’s a glimpse into the stories that are shaping India’s women-led future.

India Beat Pakistan by 88 Runs in ICC Women's World Cup Match

Pakistan's Sidra Amin made a record-breaking individual score for a Pakistani batswoman against India in women's ODIs, but India's robust performance, especially from their spinners, aided them in their win by 88 runs in their ICC Women's World Cup match at Colombo on Sunday.

With this victory, India stands at a flawless 5-0 versus Pakistan in Women's World Cups and 12-0 overall women's ODIs unbeaten.

IIM Calcutta & TimesPro Launch Women's Leadership Programme

In India, the proportion of women increased from 17 percent in 2017 to 28 percent in 2024, but there are still significant levers.

The Global Gender Gap Report 2025 suggests that a woman holds only 1 out of every 4 C-Suite role and that it will take 100+ years to reach gender equity. This data provides evidence for intentional engagement in a mentorship framework, leading, and women enthusiastically, to institutional change.

NAREDCO MAHI Hosts Women Achiever Awards 2025 in Mumbai

The International Women's Federation of Commerce and Industry (IWFCI – India National Chapter) hosted with success the Global Women Trade Summit (GWTS 2025), a 4-day celebration of women's leadership in trade, technology, and innovation, on 3-6 October 2025, with 30 delegates from 11 nations including the USA, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Uzbekistan, and prominent Indian entrepreneurs and educators.

PM Modi Advocates Women-Led Financial Inclusion: Kalpana Ajayan

During the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025, held in Mumbai, Kalpana Ajayan, Regional Head South Asia for Women’s World Banking, recognized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision in which financial inclusion is for women, but must also be led by women. She reiterated that women should be the ones driving women's financial inclusion.

Karnataka Government Approves Paid Menstrual Leave Policy

The Karnataka government has approved the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025, which requires that women employees in the private sector and state government sector are entitled to one day of menstrual leave per month.

Therefore, Karnataka becomes the first state in India to have a menstrual leave policy for both private sector employees and public sector employees. The committee of 18 has suggested to the labour minister that a paid menstrual leave would be sought after.

RBIH & IIMA Ventures Launch Swanari TechSprint 3.0

The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), in partnership with IIMA Ventures, the startup incubator of IIM Ahmedabad, is announcing the launch of Swanari TechSprint 3.0, a program that will support fintech startups to identify and develop solutions to advance financial inclusion for women in India.