Women are making a constant change in the world through their hard work, resilience, and perseverance. Discussions and questions are being raised in big institutions like the UN regarding gender violence and call for action on the same.
This week’s top stories celebrate the major and minor accomplishments of women around the globe. From India’s 1st secretary at UN, being nominated for the prestigious Emmy award to winning in Archery, women are leaving no stone unturned. Without further delay, let’s look at the top stories concerning women this week.
1. Indian women’s compound team in final in Archery WC
The Indian women’s compound archery team defeated the hosts, the United States, 226-225, to advance to the World Championship finals in Yankton, South Dakota. Priya Gurjar, Muskan Kirar, and Jyothi Surekha, the seventh-seeded women’s team, held their nerves in a tight struggle with Linda Ochoa-Anderson, Paige Pearce, and Makenna Proctor on Wednesday. In the final, the Indian women’s team will meet top-seeded Colombia. In the semifinals, Colombia defeated France 234-220.
2. Gender equality ‘champion’ Sima Sami Bahous to lead UN Women
In announcing Sima Sami Bahous’ appointment as the UN’s gender equality and empowerment agency, UN Women, on Monday, Secretary-General António Guterres called her a “champion for women and girls.”
In a statement, the UN head said she has expertise in improving women’s empowerment and rights, tackling discrimination and violence, and promoting sustainable socio-economic development, all of which are in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
3. India’s first Secretary at UN, Sneha Dubey earns applause for rebuttal to Imran Khan
Watch: India exercises its right of reply at the #UNGA @AmbTSTirumurti @MEAIndia @harshvshringla pic.twitter.com/YGcs28fYYa
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) September 25, 2021
Sneha Dubey, India’s first secretary at the United Nations, is being praised on social media for her response to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech on the issue of Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly, in which he mentioned the death of separatist leader Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani, who was also a three-time MLA from Sopore and spoke out against India’s decision to scrap Article 370, that took away Jammu & Kashmir’s special status. Dubey, in response to Khan’s address, described Pakistan as an arsonist masquerading as a firefighter.
4. SV Saraswati gets National Florence Nightingale Award for military nursing service
Brigadier SV Saraswati, who has served in the military nursing service (MNS) for decades, has been awarded the National Florence Nightingale Award for her contributions to the country. She was recognized for her contributions to the MNS as the nurse administrator in a virtual event. The Florence Nightingale Award is the greatest national honour a nurse may receive for her unselfish dedication and professionalism.
5. Kalyani Potekari is India’s fastest biker girl
Kalyani Potekari has been riding bikes since she was a child and now leads the pack from the front. She owns the coveted distinction of India’s fastest female motorcyclist at the age of 27, having beaten the best of the best on the racetrack with a 2.08-minute lap on the Buddh International Circuit in NCR. She’s competed in the Raid-de-Himalaya, which is known for being one of the world’s highest rally-raids, as well as the Indian National Racing Championship. She has travelled to Thailand and Taiwan to represent the country.
6. Sushmita Sen Starrer Aarya gets nominated for International Emmy Awards 2021
Sushmita Sen’s Aarya has been nominated in the Best Drama Series category for the International Emmy Awards 2021, which were announced on Thursday. Sushmita Sen and Namit Das star in the series, which was released in 2020. Created by Ram Madhvani, Sen’s character was fighting to save her family after her husband was murdered in the show. The series is renewed for a second season and will air later this year.
7. Increase in percentage of women in UPSC exam with top 12 out of 25 being women
216 (or 28.3%) of the 761 candidates nominated by UPSC, which organizes the annual exam for selection to civil services including IAS and IPS, are women. This year 12 of the top 25 rank-holders are women, as they were in 2019. Jagrati Awasthi of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, took the second rank. Ria Dabi, sister of Tina Dabi, the Civil Services Exam 2015 winner, is also among the successful female applicants at rank 15. This year’s recommendation rate for women in the civil service is higher than the previous three years, rising from 24.2 per cent in 2017, 23.9 per cent in 2018, and 23.7 per cent in 2019 which is a commendable feat.