Manisha Ghule
About
Founder & Secretary, Navchetana Sarvangin Vikas KendraManisha Ghule, Founder and Secretary of Navchetana Sarvangin Vikas Kendra, hails from Beed district in Maharashtra’s drought-prone belt. Born into the marginalized Vanjari NT/DNT community, she endured poverty, child marriage, and violence before reclaiming her life through education and purpose. From working as a domestic helper to earning a postgraduate degree in social work, Manisha transformed personal struggle into collective empowerment. In 2010, she co-founded Navchetana with seven rural women to create sustainable livelihoods and leadership pathways for marginalized women. Under her leadership, Navchetana has reached 55,000+ women across 300 villages, launched Navchetana Mahila Udyog and Navchetana Women Bank, and driven initiatives in microfinance, education, healthcare, and gender justice. During COVID-19, her team supported 15,000 families with essentials and relief services. An Ashoka Fellow and recipient of multiple awards — including the Jivhala Sanman Puraskar, Lokratna Puraskar, and Janki Bazaz Award — Manisha continues to prove that when women rise, entire communities thrive. “Empowering Women, Transforming Communities.”
[Day 1]
3:15 - 4:00 P.M.
Theme: Building a Mentoring Movement Across India’s Social Sector