Change Agents felicitated to commemorate
Intl Women's Day
Apollo Tyres, Institut Francais (IFI) and CSRBox join hands to commend these women
March 3, 2021
Leading tyre maker, Apollo Tyres, along with Institut Francais (IFI) and CSRBox felicitated eight Change Agents from across the country, who have brought a positive impact in their community, to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2021. These 8 women, not only worked for their own empowerment and livelihood generation, they also aligned with similar women from their own or nearby villages, and have provided income opportunities to them as well by forming self-help groups, or have brought social changes in their communities.
In a specially organised programme virtually, celebrated talk-show host, Richa Anirudh interacted and heard the encouraging stories of the 8 change agents. The virtual event also witnessed a high-powered panel discussion on the topic ‘Breaking the Stereotypes, #ChooseToChallenge’ which highlighted the role of such initiatives towards bringing a more gender equitable society. This event celebrated the acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in their communities, challenged stereotypes, fought biases and have broadened perceptions.
In his inaugural address, Sunam Sarkar, President & Chief Business Officer, Apollo Tyres stressed on the importance of gender equality in every field of life and raised concerns on the declining participation of women in the workforce, especially since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. “Gender equality takes centrestage at Apollo Tyres. Towards this, we have also been running programmes like ‘Navya’ under Apollo Tyres Foundation, which focuses on generating livelihood and improving the well-being of underprivileged women, and sensitising them about gender rights and other social issues. The 8 change agents who are being felicitated today, representing seven different states of India, have created a name for themselves, (#EkNaam), fighting against all odds.”
The Ambassador of France to India, H E Mr Emmanuel Lenain, in his opening remarks, focused on a series of activities initiated by French Embassy in association with French Institute in India and Alliance Francaise to promote gender equality, not only on International Women’s Day, but all the way to June 2021, in the framework of the ‘Generation Equality Forum’ co-chaired by France. He also highlighted the association with Apollo Tyres Foundation for second consecutive year for #EkNaam campaign to recognise the achievement of grassroot level Change Agents.
The Change Agents who were felicitated today, are:
- Nirmala, Tamil Nadu
- Molamma Shaji, Kerala
- Janaki, Tamil Nadu
- Sonia Pargi, Rajasthan
- Hansaben Parmar, Gujarat
- Sangita Waghmare, Maharashtra
- Babita, Odisha
- Sukhiya Bai, Madhya Pradesh