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Lalitha Ranjani: Lalitha is a leading Sri Lankan trade union activist who has spent decades organizing and empowering women in the garment sector.
“I have worked for 30 years now, and winning this award has given me the courage to continue my trade union work. Until now, I have overcome the challenges with the strength of my family and a group of strong-willed women around me. Have faced successfully,” Lalita said while receiving the award.
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 sectors by building a membership of over 1,500 workers.
Sunil Mohan: Sunil, a trans man and former captain of the Kerala women’s cricket team, has dedicated more than 20 years to advocating for gender equality and trans rights in India. Based in Bengaluru, he has transformed lives, impacting over 3,000 individuals through legal advocacy, crisis intervention and community-based initiatives.
“I don’t want others to face the struggles that I have faced because of my identity. That’s why I started working on these issues,” he said at the event.
Sunil’s vision includes setting up a queer café to promote dialogue and creative expression for the trans community.
Jaya Chakma: Jaya, Bangladesh’s first and only FIFA-recognised female football referee and coach, is a pioneer for women in the sport. Hailing from the minority Chakma tribe, Jaya has broken social barriers to create opportunities for women in football.
While receiving the award he said, “Even today, the biggest challenge I face is people’s tendency not to accept me. However, there is no gender discrimination in my workplace. As a football coach and referee, I can teach both men and women. Being a female referee does not prevent me from showing red cards in men’s tournaments. Receiving the Kamala Bhasin Award feels like earning a degree.”
As a coach at Bangladesh Krira Shikha Pratisthan (BKSP), she has led her teams to many victories and continues to inspire young girls, especially those from minority communities, to pursue male-dominated fields.
Nikhil Taneja: Nikhil, a Mumbai-based public speaker, author and CEO of YUVA, has been a consistent advocate of mental health and gender sensitivity among the Indian youth. Through his video chat show “Be a Man, Yaar” and his extensive campus outreach at over 100 institutions, Nikhil challenges toxic masculinity and promotes a culture of positive masculinity, helping young boys feel less lonely and more empowered. Feel.
Nikhil said, “I have great respect for Kamala Bhasin. She made significant contributions to the feminist movement in India and it is both an honor and a responsibility to be associated with an award in her name.”
