The Week That Was: Nykaa's Brand Icon Sarvari, Slt Aastha Poonia's Milestone & More

By: WE Staff | Saturday, 12 July 2025

Over the past decade, the rise of women in the corporate world has been notable, indicating that they are making progress in the right direction. India's women's empowerment movement is a dynamic one, driven by policy reforms, societal changes, and an increase in the number of female entrepreneurs, political leaders, and activists. Breaking years of stereotypes, Indian women are proving themselves to be excellent homemakers and businesswomen.

From corporate to politics, women can be seen everywhere, reclaiming their value by becoming decision-makers, as Bollywood star Sharvari becomes the new Brand Icon for Nykaa, Slt Aastha Poonia becomes Indian Navy's First Woman Fighter Pilot, Priya Nair to Take Over as First Woman CEO & MD of Hindustan Unilever, and more.

Explore the WER's News Section to know more.

Slt Aastha Poonia Becomes Indian Navy's First Woman Fighter Pilot

Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia has scripted history as the first woman to be trained as a fighter pilot in the Indian Navy, a major milestone towards gender inclusivity in naval aviation. Together with Lt Atul Kumar Dhull, she received the coveted 'Wings of Gold' from Rear Admiral Janak Bevli, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), at a graduation ceremony of the Second Basic Hawk Conversion Course on 3 July 2025 at INAS Dega.

NCW to Handle all Women-related Cases in Jharkhand: Mamta Kumari

Mamta Kumari, a member of the National Commission for Women, announced on July 7, 2025, that the National Commission for Women (NCW) will handle all women-related cases in Jharkhand due to the absence of a functional state women's commission. This move reflects a long-standing commitment to women's empowerment, stemming from grassroots initiatives aimed at addressing violence against women.

Nykaa Names Bollywood Actor Sharvari Wagh as New Brand Icon

The new Brand Icon for Nykaa is Sharvari, a rising Bollywood star. Sharvari is renowned for her confident charm, up-to-date sense of style, and capacity to engage young audiences. She perfectly captures the essence of the current generation. Her vibrant personality and sincere voice make her the ideal person to inspire and engage beauty enthusiasts across India.

ISC Group Introduces 'The Circle of Influence' to Enable Older Women in Insurance

ISC Group has introduced "The Circle of Influence," a new, invitation-only membership program for senior women insurance leaders, board members, and non-executive directors (NEDs). As a standalone network committed to supporting women in insurance, ISC Group seeks to promote collaboration, improve boardroom influence, and bring about meaningful change in the sector through this elite program.

Priya Nair to Take Over as First Woman CEO & MD of Hindustan Unilever from August

Priya Nair will be the next Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) CEO and Managing Director, a historic milestone since it is the company's first female CEO in its 92-year history. She will assume office on August 1, 2025, upon the exit of Rohit Jawa on July 31.

The appointment is a historic milestone towards gender representation at the board level in India. Priya joined HUL in 1995, and over a period of almost three decades, rose to the pinnacle. At the beginning of her career, she was in crucial positions like Consumer Insights Manager and Brand Manager for home brands like Dove, Comfort, and Rin. She then spearheaded large categories like oral care, deodorants, and laundry.

Varsha Deshpande Wins 2025 UN Population Award for Advancing Women's Rights

Award-winning women's rights campaigner Varsha Deshpande, founder of India's Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, has received the 2025 United Nations Population Award in the category of an individual. She is to receive the highly esteemed award at the United Nations headquarters in New York this Friday.

Varsha is just the third Indian award recipient in the individual category, after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1983) and industrialist JRD Tata (1992). The institution of HelpAge India was honoured in the institutional category in 2020.