Marya
By winning, breaking barriers and fighting for their rights, women continue to make news in the world this week. LinkedIn and UN women collaborate to find job possibilities for women in APAC, Stunning Indian women in sarees at Royal Ascot 2022, new nutrition schemes launched by PM Modi in Gujarat and others constitute this week’s top news.
Without further ado, let’s catch up on top stories concerning women this week.
1. Ruth Ozeki, an American-Canadian writer, has won the Women’s Prize for her novel ‘Book of Form and Emptiness.’
Ruth Ozeki, an American-Canadian writer, was awarded the renowned Women’s Prize for Fiction on Wednesday for her novel ‘The Book of Form and Emptiness.’ Ozeki received the 30,000 pounds ($36,000) Award at a ceremony in London for her whimsical, philosophical novel about a grieving boy’s interaction with books and things in his home, all of which talk to him. His surroundings get increasingly chaotic as his widowed mother hoards to cope with her grief. The story investigates the complicated relationship between individuals and their things, inspired in part by Buddhist philosophy and the decluttering doyenne Marie Kondo.
2. LinkedIn and UN Women collaborate to create employment opportunities for women in APAC.
LinkedIn has announced a $500,000 (Rs 3.88 crore) investment in a three-year regional relationship with UN Women – the United Nations agency committed to gender equality – to enhance women’s economic development. The initiative will begin a pilot in Maharashtra, India, to develop the digital, soft, and employability skills of 2,000 women and provide them with a variety of career-building possibilities via job fairs, mentorship sessions, and peer-to-peer networks. The alliance will digitally upskill women, giving them more work opportunities and preparing them to fully engage in the formal economy.
3. PM Modi introduces development projects in Gujarat, as well as a women’s nutrition programme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled initiatives and projects worth Rs 21,000 crore in his home state of Gujarat, which holds Assembly elections in six months. The PM also introduced the ‘Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana’ feeding plan for pregnant and nursing women ahead of the Assembly elections. With an investment of Rs 800 crore, the initiative would provide free monthly supplies of 2 kg of chickpeas, 1 kilogramme of yellow toor dal, and 1 kg of edible oil to Anganwadi Centres for three years. This programme was introduced in the State Assembly budget for the fiscal year 2022-2023.
4. Google has launched an accelerator programme for female-led companies
The programme will address concerns that female founders experience owing to a range of circumstances, including inadequate representation, such as access to networks, finance, recruiting obstacles, mentorship, and many more. The programme will also include classes and assistance in areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), cloud, user experience (UX), Android, web, product strategy and growth, and access to a global network of female entrepreneurs. Up to 20 Indian firms created or cofounded by women will be admitted into the program’s initial cohort, which will provide them with three months of support.
5. Royal Ascot 2022 saw 1000 Indian women stealing the show by looking stunning in sarees in the United Kingdom
Royal Ascot, also known as Ladies Day 2022, saw a touch of Indian exuberance. Over a thousand Indian-origin ladies made history by competing in the famed racing event while dressed in sarees. Indian ladies were spotted wearing sarees that showed India’s diversity. Some of the women were observed wearing ‘Kantha‘ sarees, a distinct form of embroidered sarees from Birbhum, West Bengal. Madhubani Saree and Mekhala Chador also made memorable appearances at the occasion.
6. Tashi Choden Chombal is the First Queer model to be crowned Miss Bhutan.
Tashi Choden Chombal, a fashion model, has been crowned Miss Bhutan in 2022. She will be Bhutan’s first LGBT beauty queen to represent the country in Miss Universe 2022. Chombal came out to her family on June 2, 2021, International Pride Day. Chombal revealed to The Bhutanese that she first came out as bisexual on Facebook.
7. The Balika Panchayat Initiative, the first of its kind, supports the active participation of girls in politics.
The communities have established the nation’s first girl Panchayat, informally known as ‘Balika Panchayat,’ which assures girls’ active participation in politics. The Gujarat Government’s Women and Child Development Welfare department created the one-of-a-kind programme as part of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign. Balika Panchayats have been established in the Kutch district villages of Kunaria, Maska, Motagua, and Vadsar. According to reports, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is also considering launching the project across India.
Cheers to all the sacrifices, good and hard work – Happy Father’s Day from team whatSHElikes.
