The Week That Was: Indian Women Empowerment News Overview (26 June - 02 July)

By: WE Staff | Saturday, 2 July 2022

Another week, another Women Entrepreneur India weekly recap. This issue includes news about Dhanalakshmi becoming 3rd fastest Indian women in 200m, Flo's 19th Chapter in Vadodara, Chatbot Sirona, and many other stories. Continue reading to learn about some of the most significant advancements in the field of women's empowerment from this week.

Dhanalakshmi becomes 3rd fastest Indian women in 200m; Wins gold at Qosanov Memorial Athletics Meet

Tokyo Olympian Sekar Dhanalakshmi clocked her personal best time to win 200m gold at the QosanovMemorial Athletics Meet being held in Kazakstan. The Sprinter extraordinaire achieved a creditable sub-23 second timing in the event. Dhanalakshmialso clocked22.89s which is better than her personal best time of 23.14s from last year.

Kazakhstan’s Olga Safronovafinished second (23.21s) and Dutee Chand finished third clocking 23.60s.

Earlier this month, Dhanalakshmihad won a gold in 200 m at the national Inter-State Championships held in Chennai with a timing of 23.27s.

Jayanti Dalmiya Launches Flo's 19th Chapter in Vadodara

FLO works to support and promote female professionals and business owners as they advance their careers. The opening of this Chapter will aid in bringing more professionals, including future and current entrepreneurs, under the FLO's wing.

"Often known as the ‘Jewel of Western India’, Gujarat represents the vibrance of India, while Vadodara is one of its leading industrial hubs known for its entrepreneurial spirit. This is the result of old-established business houses and the business acumen ingrained in the culture and tradition of Gujarat, and we look forward to working actively in Vadodara.” said Jayanti Dalmia, President FLO.

With its headquarters in New Delhi, FLO Vadodara is one of the organization's 18 currently operating Chapters across the nation.

Women's Menstrual Cycles can now be Tracked on WhatsApp using a Chatbot Sirona

WhatsApp is evolving beyond a simple messaging app. Women who use WhatsApp can now monitor their menstrual cycle. A feminine hygiene firm called Sirona has developed the first period tracker for WhatsApp in India. By messaging "Hi" to the Sirona WhatsApp Business Account @ 9718866644, users can keep track of their periods.

The period tracking software may be used to monitor three objectives, including tracking periods, trying to get pregnant, and avoiding pregnancy, according to a press release from Sirona. The chatbot will question users for information about their current and past periods, and based on the users' objectives, it will keep a record and share reminders and next cycle dates. The period tracker was created with the help of the WhatsApp Business Platform. The user experience is easy and enjoyable thanks to the chatbot's user-friendly UI.

Meta Launches GOAL 2.0 to Teach Digital Skills to 10 Lakh Women and Youth from Tribal Communities

In order to begin the second phase of the Going Online As Leaders (GOAL) programme, Meta is extending its collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Meta was inspired by the rich culture and talent represented by the tribal and indigenous people of India. With the help of technology that they might not otherwise have access to, GOAL 2.0 aims to digitally upskill, connect, and empower 10 lakh young people and women from the nation's tribal communities. It also serves as a bridge for the youth who are socially excluded by providing them with a wide range of opportunities.

The identified GOAL participants will get access to Meta Business Coach, a learning bot built on WhatsApp, through this initiative, giving them the chance to learn how to develop and expand their businesses utilising Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The programme will also include Facebook Live sessions by expert trainers in nine languages on subjects including Anti Scamming education, being secure online, how to combat misinformation, and being a good digital citizen in order to equip the participants to take an active role in the digital economy.

92 Percent of Women are Aware of Feminine Health Issues, but only a few take Proactive Measures; Survey

According to a recent survey by Motherhood Hospitals, a specialty hospital chain that provides comprehensive women, children, and fertility care services, only a small percentage of women actively take steps to improve their health, even though 92 percent of them are aware that their physical health can affect their mental and emotional health. The survey found that half of the women would rather discuss their gynaecological health concerns with female family members than with a professional expert, while the remaining women would rather do so with friends or spouses.

The survey was carried out to follow changes in consumer perception of female health and to look into the causes of these changes, as well as to better understand the priorities of contemporary women in terms of feminine health.

The poll also helped to discover a number of variables, including social and psychological elements that may be affecting or impacting women's gynaecological health.

Bihar Cyclist Sabita Mahato sets a Record by Pedalling to the Highest Motorable Road

“An ordinary girl from a village in India who wants to do something extraordinary for herself, her country and other women who don’t even dare to dream.” Her website's bio reads: And she is making every effort to see that this happens.

Sabita Mahato is a climber and endurance cyclist from the Bihar town of Chhapra. She is pedalling arduously to realise her ambition of uniting women to empower one another.

She already held the global record for riding alone across 29 Indian states, but she now holds the title for cycling alone from New Delhi to the world's highest motorable road, Umling La Pass in Ladakh.

ReNew trains 1,000 Female Salt Pan Workers in Collaboration with UNEP and SEWA

One thousand low-income women salt pan workers will be trained by the green energy company ReNew Power, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Self-Employed Women's Association of India (SEWA) to work in the renewable energy sector.

The three organisations said in a joint statement on Thursday that under the "Project Surya" initiative, women salt-pan workers who toil in the difficult conditions and sweltering heat of the Rann of Kutch marshes will receive training as solar panel and solar-pump technicians at Dhokavada village in the Patan district of Gujarat.

ReNew, in collaboration with UNEP and SEWA, "Project Surya" will train 1,000 low-income women who work in salt pans to employment in the renewable energy sector, according to the statement.