As the echoes of change resonate across the globe, women leaders are stepping forward, armed with passion, resilience, and the grit to reshape the world. These women are not just leaders in their communities; they are visionaries, driving a new narrative in global leadership. This year, the esteemed VV Visionaries program, a collaboration between Vital Voices and the Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, has recognized one such changemaker, Srishti Pragat, for her transformative work with Sky Social.
Vital Voices, born out of the vision of leaders like Hillary Clinton, is an organization deeply rooted in championing female leaders who not only hold positions of power but also catalyze movements. This global platform has seen many of its supported leaders rise to exceptional prominence, ranging from Nobel Peace Prize Laureates to trailblazing human rights defenders and influential social entrepreneurs, like the globally renowned Malala Yousafzai.
The VV Visionaries program, a signature initiative of Vital Voices, is a unique platform that celebrates women leaders from a diverse range of sectors and industries. It nurtures those who are committed to making a substantial positive social impact in their communities and beyond, by challenging existing gender stereotypes and empowering a fresh wave of leadership.
At the heart of this transformative wave is Srishti Pragat, whose tireless efforts through Sky Social have seen her emerge as a powerful force in the realm of gender mainstreaming and social justice. With an academic foundation in Development Studies, specializing in Gender and Migration Studies from the highly-regarded SOAS University of London, Pragat has dedicated herself to sparking behavioral change to foster a gender-equal society.
Expressing her gratitude for the recognition, Pragat stated, “It is an immense honor to be acknowledged by an international organization like Vital Voices. This opportunity enables us to bring our work in India to a global platform and allows us to share our journey with the world. I am eager to learn, grow, and collaborate with other accomplished women leaders through this program, which will undoubtedly empower us to amplify our impact and reach a broader audience globally.”
Sky Social, under Pragat’s leadership, has made significant strides in bringing about societal change. Collaborations with numerous government departments, UNICEF, and Youth Ki Awaaz have allowed them to train communities, engage stakeholders, and build capacities to challenge patriarchal norms. A notable initiative is their partnership with the Ministry of Tourism’s “Hunar Se Rozgar Tak” program, which focuses on skilling girls from tribal communities, thereby enhancing their economic independence.
Sky Social’s dedication to gender mainstreaming and prevention of gender-based violence has been widely recognized. Their noteworthy achievements include being selected as a Youth Ki Awaaz Action Network Fellow and receiving distinguished accolades such as the Udita Award and the Strong Women Strong Society Award.
With Pragat’s selection for the VV Visionaries program, the journey of Sky Social finds a new global resonance, promising an era of sustained effort towards gender equality and social justice. Through her story, it becomes evident that visionary women are the driving force of global change, one leader at a time.
