This year’s the Kamla Bhasin Awards 2024 for Driving Gender Equality Across South Asia have been awarded to Lalitha Ranjani of Sri Lanka and Sunil Mohan from India. Additionally, the Special Jury Awards have been conferred upon Jaya Chakma from Bangladesh and Nikhil Taneja from India. The awards were presented on Saturday, 30th November 2024 here at India Habitat Centre, in recognition of the exemplary work carried out by these individuals to challenge patriarchy, promote gender justice, and inspire meaningful societal change. It is named after Kamla Bhasin, feminist icon, poet, author, educationist and a pioneer of the women’s rights movement in South Asia. The awards are given under two categories, which include a citation in the form of a trophy and a cheque of INR 100,000 each, and have been jointly given by Azad Foundation, iPartner India and National Foundation for India since 2022. The Special Jury Award consists of a citation in the form of a trophy. The award ceremony was followed by singing of the Padma Bhushan Usha Uthup.
While Lalitha won the award in the first category, a woman (cis/trans) practicing Non-Traditional Livelihood, Sunil has been awarded under the category two, a man (cis/trans), working towards enabling a gender-just ecosystem. Jaya has been awarded under category one and Nikhil under category two respectively. The awardees were selected by a six-member jury chaired by diplomat and human rights advocate Radhika Coomaraswamy (Sri Lanka), after a rigorous process. Other jury members included Anu Aga (India), Khushi Kabir (Bangladesh), Binda Pandey (Nepal), Munizae Jahangir (Pakistan) and Namita Bhandare (India).
Announcing the awards, Coomaraswamy said, “The aim of this award is to honour the life and works of Kamla Bhasin—a life dedicated to selfless service, always prioritising the oppressed and marginalised groups in society. Kamla was a beacon of light for women across South Asia, and her legacy continues to inspire us all.” She further added, “This year, the awards attracted candidates from nearly every South Asian country, and we had the privilege of evaluating extraordinary individuals from diverse fields—young men running creative gender equality programs, women involved in non-traditional livelihoods, women with disabilities, and trade unionists fighting for the rights of working-class women. Given the high caliber of applicants, we have awarded a Special Jury Award in each category to acknowledge their remarkable contributions.” Coomaraswamy concluded, “To the awardees, I want them to know: South Asia stands with them in their ongoing struggle.”
About the Awardees
Lalitha Ranjani, Sri Lanka
Lalitha is a trailblazing trade union activist from Sri Lanka who has spent decades organizing and empowering women in the garment sector. As the founder and Chief Organizer of the Textile Garment and Clothing Workers Union (TGCWU), the first women-led trade union in Sri Lanka, she has established a strong presence for women’s leadership in industrial zones, building a membership of over 1,500 workers. Her vision is to amplify the voices of garment workers nationally and strengthen their collective bargaining power.
Sunil Mohan, India
Sunil, a trans man and former captain of the Kerala women’s cricket team, has dedicated over 20 years to advocating for gender equity and trans rights in India. Based in Bangalore, he has transformed lives through legal advocacy, crisis intervention, and community-based initiatives, impacting over 3,000 individuals. Sunil’s vision includes establishing a queer café to foster dialogue and creative expression for the trans community.
Jaya Chakma, Bangladesh (Special Jury Award)
Jaya, Bangladesh’s first and only FIFA-accredited female football referee and coach, is a pioneer for women in sports. Coming from the minority Chakma tribe, Jaya has shattered societal barriers to create opportunities for women in football. As a coach at the Bangladesh Krira Shikha Protishthan (BKSP), she has led her teams to multiple victories and continues to inspire young girls, especially those from minority communities, to break into male-dominated fields.
Nikhil Taneja, India (Special Jury Award)
Nikhil, a Mumbai-based public speaker, writer, and the CEO of Yuvaa, has been a relentless advocate for mental health and gender sensitivity among Indian youth. Through his video chat show “Be A Man, Yaar”, and his extensive campus outreach across over 100 institutions, Nikhil challenges toxic masculinity and fosters a culture of positive masculinity, making young boys feel less lonely and more empowered.
Quotes of Awardees
Lalitha Ranjani
“I have worked for 30 years now, and winning this award has given me the courage to continue with my trade union work. So far, I have faced challenges successfully with the strength of my family and a group of strong-willed women around me. My goal is to ensure that all workers in the FTZs enjoy the rights and entitlements enshrined in the constitution. I strive to form women’s trade unions at many worksites and establish a federation of unions affiliated with the textile and clothing worker unions in the future.”
Sunil Mohan
“I don’t want others to face the struggles I’ve faced because of my identity. This is why I began working on these issues. I’m so happy to receive this award. After more than 20 years of work, for the first time, I feel that someone has acknowledged my efforts, someone has truly valued my work.”
Jaya Chakma
“The main challenge I face even today is the tendency of people not accepting me. However, there is no gender discrimination in my field of work. As a football coach and referee, I can teach both men and women. Being a woman referee doesn’t stop me from showing a red card in a men’s tournament. Receiving the Kamla Bhasin Award feels like earning a degree. And what do people do after receiving a degree? They serve others. This award inspires me and has increased my responsibility to serve people.”
Nikhil Taneja
“I have immense respect for Kamla Bhasin. She made significant contributions to the feminist movement in India, and being associated with an award in her name is both an honour and a responsibility. It is my duty to carry forward this work with other activists so that the next generation of youth can grow up in safe spaces where they do not feel lonely.
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