The Week That Was: Women Shaping Leadership, Sport & Work

By: WE Staff | Sunday, 4 January 2026

As India steps into a new year, the week that was captures a powerful sense of reflection, renewal, and forward momentum for women across the country’s entrepreneurial, leadership, and institutional landscape. From founders assessing the lessons of 2025 and charting bold, values-driven strategies for 2026, to women taking charge in wildlife conservation, sports, STEM innovation, and the future of work, the narratives of the past week reflect both progress made and purpose ahead. The New Year begins with women redefining growth, balancing technology with empathy, ambition with impact, and scale with sustainability. Policy support, ecosystem enablers, and institutional intent continue to open pathways for women to lead in traditionally male-dominated spaces, while also strengthening access to skills, capital, and leadership platforms. Together, these stories signal optimism and resolve, positioning women as central architects of India’s evolving economic and social future.

Women Entrepreneurs Review Magazine brings together key developments from the week that spotlight how women are shaping 2026 with vision, confidence, and collective strength.

Founder Vision 2026: Women Entrepreneurs on New Moves in New Year

Women founders across sectors describe 2025 as a year that reaffirmed the importance of values-led, human-centred growth. While AI and innovation accelerated progress, trust, product excellence, emotional intelligence, and credibility remained core. As 2026 approaches, founders are focused on building ethical, inclusive, and scalable organisations that prioritise meaningful impact over speed alone.

Odisha Inducts All-Women Team for Debrigarh Sanctuary Protection

In a landmark move, the Odisha government has inducted its first all-women forest protection team at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Comprising five members, including four from local tribal communities, the initiative strengthens wildlife conservation while empowering women as frontline protectors of forests, biodiversity, and future generations’ natural heritage.

Women's Hockey India League Season 2 to Start in Ranchi

The second season of the Women’s Hockey India League begins in Ranchi from December 28 to January 10, featuring four teams and international players from leading hockey nations. Building on its successful debut, the league aims to elevate competitive standards, provide global exposure to Indian talent, and further boost the popularity and growth of women’s hockey nationwide.

Women's STEM Challenge Opens in India

The Women’s Leadership in STEM and Entrepreneurship Grand Challenge invites women innovators to address health challenges through science, technology, and enterprise. Supporting women-led, scalable solutions, the initiative offers mentorship, leadership development, and ecosystem access, aiming to close gender gaps while advancing impactful health innovation and strengthening women’s leadership in STEM fields.

HR Leaders Share Most Disruptive HR Trends for 2026

Women HR leaders highlight 2026 as the year of “smart-and-soulful” HR, where AI-driven insights, predictive analytics, and workforce design converge with empathy, trust, and emotional intelligence. The future of people management will centre on human–machine collaboration, continuous learning, ethical AI, and personalised employee experiences that drive sustainable performance and engagement.