From podium to people: Voices of strength, stories of change. Read the report here:
Over 40 NGOs Unite for the National Women NGO Conclave at Jamia Hamdard New Delhi, October 9, 2025: The National Women NGO Conclave 2025 at Jamia Hamdard gathered over 40 NGOs from across India working on women’s education, leadership, and empowerment.
Funded by Jamia Cooperative Bank and organised by The Women Education and Empowerment Trust (TWEET) in collaboration with Jamia Hamdard, the two-day event celebrated learning, collaboration, and collective action.
VC Afshar Alam: “Real Change Begins When Participation Turns Into Purpose”
In his inaugural remarks, Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, described the conclave as “a door opening to action” and called upon delegates to turn discussions into measurable outcomes. He emphasised that empowerment must rest on strong organisational foundations. “Funds are the backbone of any movement,” he said, urging NGOs to adopt transparent fundraising models and make better compliance of regulatory mechanisms.
Prof. Alam also encouraged long-term planning, reminding participants that sustainability and clarity of vision are vital to enduring social change. “Empowerment thrives when purpose becomes participation,” he added, receiving resounding applause.
A collective call for change
Prof. (Dr.) Reshma Nasreen, Chairperson of the Centre for Training and Development (CTD), Jamia Hamdard, delivered the Welcome Address. She challenged the audience with a simple yet powerful question: “Shouldn’t this battle already have been won?” Her answer, “Not yet,” set a reflective tone. Prof. Nasreen underscored the persistent barriers to women’s leadership and highlighted the need for grassroots mobilization. “NGOs,” she said, “are the engines of social change that reach where systems cannot.”
Rahmathunnissa A, Chairperson of TWEET, introduced the organization’s guiding philosophy, K.I.S.S. — Knowledge, Intention, Skills, and Strategy, as a four-step approach to impactful social work. Her message, “Manzil se aage badhkar manzil talash kar,” urged delegates to think beyond short-term goals and build enduring institutions.
Women at center of transformation
Dr. Prachi Kaul, Director-India of the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, delivered the Inaugural Address. Drawing from her field experience with anganwadi workers, she spoke of women’s resilience and the need to make empowerment a part of everyday life. “Women must support women,” she said, “not out of sympathy but solidarity.” In her Vote of Thanks, Prof. (Dr.) Syeedun Nisa, Honorary Director of CTD, Jamia Hamdard, acknowledged Jamia Cooperative Bank, Professor Farhat Basir Khan, resource persons and dignitaries for their support and praised and the participants for transforming individual experiences into shared learning.
Collaboration and learning in motion
The session on Scope of Civil Society Organizations, chaired by Dr. Indu Prakash Singh, featured insights from Prof. Arvinder Ansari of Jamia Millia Islamia and Ms. Farah Sarosh, CEO of Nurture Life. Discussions focused on solidarity, dignity, and innovation in NGO work. Later, the session on Women Leadership in NGOs, chaired by Prof. (Dr.) Neelam Sukhramani, heard from Hena Parveen and Shaista Rafat, who emphasized leadership through inclusion and mentorship. The afternoon panel, Spotlighting Best Practices, moderated by Dr. Nudrat Moini Rahman, showcased exemplary women-led NGOs including WINGS, Model Village Trust, SEWA Bharat, Society for Bright Future, and Girl Up India.
Building stronger NGOs
Day Two opened with Fundraising for NGOs, chaired by Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam and moderated by Ayeesha Shaikh. Speakers Mr. Robin Thomas of HCL Foundation and Mr. Sajid M of Vision 2026 discussed resource mobilization, transparency, and collaboration. The next session, Building Legally Sound NGOs, chaired by Adv. Sarvar Raza, featured CA Gulzar Karishma Malik, Dr. Sakhi John, and Noufal PK. They shared practical steps for compliance and good governance.
The final thematic session, Reinventing Women-Led NGOs, chaired by Rahmathunnissa A, brought together Gargi Rawat (NDTV), Samina Bano (RightWalk Foundation), and Adv. Sana Siddeequi (MARG). The speakers discussed the need for advocacy, communication, and innovation to expand women’s leadership in civil society.
The road ahead
The Valedictory Session featured T. Arif Ali, Chairman of Vision 2026, as Guest of Honour, Dr. Abha Rani, IRS, as Chief Guest. Prof. (Dr.) Afshar Alam delivered the Presidential Address, reaffirming Jamia Hamdard’s commitment to fostering women-led social innovation. Prof. (Dr.) Sharnas Muthu, Director of TWEET, extended the final Vote of Thanks, marking the close of two days of purposeful dialogue.
A confluence of purpose
The National Women NGO Conclave 2025 stood as a testament to the power of partnership. It reminded participants that empowerment is not granted but built together, the event reinforced one truth: when women lead, societies thrive.
