The empowering of destitute women at wish home through leadership programs: A case study

Pages: 760-763
Nivedita Das (Visiting Faculty, KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha)

Leadership programs as we understand are normally for the executives or management people. But here is a unique case of Leadership program for the destitute women who are normally perceived to be powerless and dependent on the mercy of others. It analyzes their success story with a focus on the training that they went through at WISH. The program presupposes a re-definition of what effective leadership means. Women’s Leadership focuses on leadership that is sourced from each woman’s deep love and passionate commitment for the natural world, women, health, children, and justice. The leadership Program at WISH prioritized authenticity, mutual respect, and collaborative and inclusive approaches. It is based upon the principle that leadership emerges from the inner work we do, and that we cannot influence change we haven’t embodied ourselves. The challenge of empowering these so called destitute women, which is not a desirable term we use for them, the Women’s Leadership program started with the intention of recognizing and understanding that all meaningful and enduring changes begin with the internal work we do to transform our outer behavior. Leadership skill and capacity continue to strengthen with practice, reflection and relationships that provide authentic and rigorous feedback and support. In addition to strengthening the capacity of diverse women to engage more intentionally and effectively as leaders for progressive change, the program was designed to celebrate those capacities we have observed being present in these women who are yet to get the right to lead a dignified life.