We are delighted to congratulate Dr. Nandini Azad, Global Coordinator for the Cooperative Working Group and President of the Indian Cooperative Network for Women (ICNW), on her recognition at the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) General Assembly in Rome.
During the Assembly, WFO Secretary General Andrea Porro formally applauded Dr. Azad’s leadership and her historic address at the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro – the first time WFO partnered with the Summit to highlight women in agriculture. Dr. Azad’s contributions represent a milestone moment for elevating farmers’ and grassroots women’s voices on the global stage.
Reflecting her deep commitment to gender equity and inclusive cooperative leadership, Dr. Azad stated:
“For the first time in history, grassroots women farmers were brought into the G20 global policy framework and process, thanks to the WFO. We are grateful for this historic partnership.”
This achievement underscores Dr. Azad’s tireless work to bring cooperative values and the voices of working women into international forums. Under her leadership, ICNW and the Working Women’s Forum have continued to blaze trails:
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Organizing landmark panels at the UN Commission for Social Development (UNCSocD) – the only session focused on women and cooperatives, involving over 300 grassroots women across continents.
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Leading a parallel session at UNCSW69, titled “Global Leadership of Grassroots Women Co‑operators in the UN Year of Cooperatives,” highlighting how cooperatives advance social justice, gender equity, and economic empowerment worldwide.
This recognition by the WFO is a powerful testament to Dr. Azad’s role as a transformative leader in the cooperative movement—and resonates deeply with IRU’s values of solidarity, inclusion, and sustainability.
