The We Women Want Festival and Awards was an energizing event that brought together remarkable women from various sectors. They shared their insights and personal journeys, motivating attendees to embrace empowerment.
The festival was skillfully hosted by Priya Sehgal, who led a distinguished panel featuring influential leaders like Kaveree Bamzai (Senior Journalist & Author), Naina Lal Kidwai (Chair of India Sanitation Coalition & Rothschild India), Shaifalika Panda (Trustee & Founder CEO of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation), and Shama Mohamed (Congress National Spokesperson).
Kaveree Bamzai shared her experiences as the pioneering female editor of India Today, candidly addressing her battle with imposter syndrome. She remarked, “Many women feel like they don’t deserve their success. Even when the world recognizes our worth, we doubt ourselves. My biggest regret is not realizing sooner that I deserved the opportunities I received.” She highlighted the significance of self-affirmation and the need for women to voice their thoughts, which she hopes to convey in her upcoming book.
As the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard, Naina Lal Kidwai offered vital advice to young women entering the workforce. She identified three fundamental principles:
Shama Mohamed shared her experiences with online trolling and her approach to overcoming it. “I don’t engage with those who attack me personally. I know who I am, and that confidence helps me rise above the hate. The worst thing I’ve been called is a ‘Jihadi’ or ‘madrasa-bred bigot’ on national TV, but I refuse to let such comments define me,” she explained. Shama urged women to stand firm in their beliefs, stating, “Hold your head high, and fight back with self-assurance.”
Shaifalika Panda spoke about the complexities of empowering women in rural communities through her foundation. She stated, “The real struggle is on the ground, where patriarchal norms are deeply entrenched. Empowerment begins when women control their narratives and are able to make independent decisions.” She emphasized the necessity for systemic changes, focusing on three critical areas: providing support, educating communities, and fostering social change. She added, “Men must be part of the conversation if we want lasting change in rural empowerment.”
The panel also discussed the representation of women in politics, with Shama highlighting the challenges they face in obtaining candidacy. “In Kerala, which has a population of 51% women, there isn’t a single woman MP. Congress began the 33% reservation in Panchayati Raj thanks to Rajiv Gandhi, and now we see close to 50% women representation in local elections. But the struggle continues at higher levels,” she noted. Shama called for increased systemic reforms to enhance political representation and create equal opportunities for women leaders.
In a light-hearted yet meaningful moment, Kaveree Bamzai touched on the saying, “Behind every successful woman, there’s a man.” While acknowledging the support of her husband, she pointed out a common challenge: women often hesitate to seek help. “We don’t always ask for the support we need, but it’s crucial to seek it when necessary,” she advised, highlighting the importance of nurturing supportive relationships in both personal and professional lives.
The We Women Want Festival and Awards effectively underscored the importance of mutual support among women and the need for systemic changes to foster empowerment across various sectors.
