Ministry of Jal Shakti Celebrates Women Change Makers in Sanitation at Special Event

New Delhi: In a landmark event organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, women change makers in the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) were honored and celebrated. The event, held in New Delhi, focused not only on recognizing the achievements of women leaders in the sanitation sector but also provided a platform for meaningful policy discussions to drive progress.

The event brought together over 475 women from across the country, engaging in a vibrant dialogue with Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Minister of State of Jal Shakti, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The participants commemorated the achievements of women change makers and discussed insights that could influence future policy directions.

Shri Jitendra Srivastava, Joint Secretary & Mission Director, SBM-G, welcomed the participants and congratulated them for being the change they want to see in the world. He highlighted the progress of SBM across the country, emphasizing the transition to the ODF Plus Model category, where villages sustain their ODF status and implement solid and liquid waste management.

Shri Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, JJM, set the context of the event, emphasizing women’s empowerment and their transformative role across sectors, including SBM-G. The event spotlighted “Swachhata Shakti: Stories of women transforming India’s sanitation at the grassroots,” paying tribute to the exemplary work of these dedicated women.

During the interaction, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat praised the success of SBM, emphasizing the mission’s long-term endeavor. He acknowledged the special role of women in providing new momentum and energy to the cleanliness journey. He urged women change makers to create a culture of sanitation and community ownership for SBM-G assets.

Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar applauded the diverse strengths of women from different states, united by their unwavering commitment to cleanliness. He acknowledged their critical role in shaping the SBM-G revolution and encouraged cross-learning, technology solutions, and collaboration with communities.

In his concluding remarks, Union Minister of Jal Shakti encouraged change makers to share their journey with their communities, inspire them to adopt environmentally friendly practices, and contribute to the making of ‘Sampoorn Swachh Bharat.’ He expressed confidence that the event has inspired continued dedication and will set an example for others to follow.