By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
New Delhi: The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), in collaboration with Facebook, have announced the #100Women initiative that seeks to recognize and acknowledge women who are making a difference in their communities, across the country.
12 Muslim women’s across the country have made it to the list of top 200 women nominees who were shortlisted by a jury constituted by MWCD in categories ranging from education, sports to women empowerment.
The Voting for the #100Women Achievers’ Contest has begun on MWCD Facebook page from December 3 to 20, 2015.
Through this initiative, the Ministry claims to acknowledge and recognize the women who have contributed to the community and nation building, and their achievements may have gone unsung.
The winners are expected to be invited to join a reception by the Ministry of Women and Child Development around the coming Republic Day.
In Agriculture and Animal Husbandry category Sainaba Yousuf from Palakkad, Kerala is one of the nominees. She has contributed to enhancing the livelihood opportunities in agriculture, animal husbandry and promoted sustainable farming.
Disability and advantage: Women’s who have contributed to the upliftment of the persons living with physical and mental disabilities, HIV/AIDS, and vulnerable disadvantaged groups.
Dr Shaik Abdul Thasleem Sultana from Renigunta, Andhra Pradesh: She has rehabilitated scores of physically and mentally challenged children at the district level.
Education: Women’s who have contributed to the lives of the community by promoting education and improving access to quality education.
Suraiya Bano from Bhilai, Chattisgarh : She has been honoured with national and international awards for her extra ordinary work in the stream of educational practices in the country.
Zainab Khan from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh : She transformed her life from child labor into an advocate of education for girls in her block at school. MPs from all over country applauded her efforts which led her to HT Woman Awards.
Rehana Rehaman from Shapur, Uttar Pradesh: A crusader on foot who went from home to home to educate the muslim girl child.
Environment, forests and wildlife: Women’s who have contributed to protection and conservation of environment, forests and wildlife.
Sumaira Abdul Lali from Mumbai, Maharashtra: She pioneered and led campaign against the serious health and environmental hazard of noise pollution and brought it into the public consciousness of Mumbai and India.
Rashida Bee from Bohpal, Madhyapradesh : Award Winning and tireless voice of Bohpal Gas victims.
Sports : Women’s who have contributed to society or promoted social issues through achievement in sports Parssa naqvi from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: She succeeded against the odds when she became a professional badminton player. She came across social stigma and traveled alone across countries, and competed with men’s to get hone her craft.
Women in Public Life: Women Achiever in Politics, bureaucracy, governance, administration and local self governance.
Nazneen Ansari from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh: She is a 22 year old Muslim women from an unlettered family of weavers is the first social campaigner who translated Ramayana into Urdu.
Mumtaz Kazi from Mumbai, Maharashtra : She holds Limca book of records for being the first women diesel engine driver, including driving a train.
Azeena Khan from Jaipur, Rajasthan: She is bearer of her family legacy in Rajasthan. She distributes newspapers, continuing her family legacy from the age of 9 riding through the city early morning.
Women’s empowerment: Women who have contributed towards encouraging other women to hold leadership roles and promoting them in decision making.
Begum Shehnaz, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: She has been involved in this field since last 21 years. President of NGO Bazm-e-Khwateen, she has supported women in all frontiers social, economic or legal.