WCF Chronicle: Equity by Design
From the Frontlines of Change: The WCF Vision in Action
The Women’s Collective Forum (WCF) was founded with a single objective: to embed equity into the core of how systems function—not as a footnote, but as foundation. In a world grappling with fragmented solutions and widening inequality, WCF has championed models that are local in design but globally instructive.
Through long-term partnerships, systemic innovation, and bold institutional engagement, WCF has helped reframe equity as both a method and a measurable outcome. Here’s a glimpse into the work we’ve led—from inception to impact.
SPARK – The 100K Collective
Support that meets businesses at their next inflection point
SPARK is a nationwide initiative addressing the missing middle of women-led businesses enterprises too established for microcredit, yet consistently left out of formal finance, markets, digital systems, and regulatory frameworks. Through intensive boot camps in 300 locations, SPARK will work with 100,000 women entrepreneurs to build the capacity needed to engage with capital, platforms, and institutions not through hand holding, but by making systems navigable. Because enterprise systems should work for those already building.
SPARK – The 100K Collective
Support that meets businesses at their next inflection point
SPARK is a nationwide initiative addressing the “missing middle” of women-led enterprises—businesses too established for microcredit yet excluded from formal finance, markets, digital systems, and regulatory frameworks. Through intensive boot camps across 300 locations, SPARK will engage 100,000 women entrepreneurs to strengthen their capacity to access capital, platforms, and institutions. The programme focuses on enabling system navigation rather than handholding, ensuring enterprise ecosystems work for those already building and scaling their ventures.
Launch of the SPARK Bootcamp — New Delhi
The Women’s Collective Forum successfully launched the first SPARK Bootcamp in New Delhi, inaugurated by Ms. Smriti Irani. The programme brought together over 400 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors and regions, providing access to essential knowledge, mentorship, tools, and professional networks to support enterprise growth. This milestone marked the beginning of a nationwide initiative to empower 100,000 women entrepreneurs across 300 locations, implemented in partnership with leading institutions including the Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity & Equality ,Gates Foundation, Deloitte, ICAI, ICSI, British Council, CII, FICCI, CAIT , The Times of India, and ANI.
Building Growth-Ready Dispute Systems
The conclave on Democratising Dispute Resolution: A Way Forward for MSMEs, convened under the SPARK 100K Collective by the Women’s Collective Forum in collaboration with National Law University, Delhi, examined how India’s dispute resolution systems must evolve alongside expanding regional markets. Discussions addressed MSME dispute realities beyond metropolitan centres, the structural role of women in shaping ADR expectations, and the institutional coherence required to sustain commercial confidence. The closing session featured Smriti Irani, Chairperson – Alliance for Global Good & Advisor, WCF; Prof. (Dr.) G. S. Bajpai, Vice Chancellor, NLU Delhi; Prof. (Dr.) Ruhi Paul, Professor of Law & Registrar, NLU Delhi; and Jayesh Jotangia, Barrister, 4–5 Gray’s Inn Square. The event also marked the unveiling of the draft White Paper, “Building Growth-Ready Dispute Systems for Grassroots MSMEs: The SPARK Vision,” outlining a scalable, regionally responsive framework for enterprise-focused dispute mechanisms across India.
Advancing Public Health Forum 2025
The Women’s Collective Forum, in partnership with the Gates Foundation and the Confederation of Indian Industry, launched four comprehensive reports on disease prevention and immunisation to advance public health outcomes in India. Held on 24 December at the PM Museum Auditorium, the event was graced by Jagat Prakash Nadda, Hon’ble Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, who officially released the reports.
The forum featured distinguished leaders including Ms. Smriti Irani, Principal Advisor, WCF; Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General,ICMR; Dr. Randeep Guleria, Chairman, CII Public Health Council; and Ms. Saachi Bhalla, Deputy Director, Gates Foundation. The reports provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen immunisation systems and disease prevention strategies nationwide.
Discussion with Members of Parliament
The Women’s Collective Forum, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry, hosted a closed-door interaction with Members of Parliament and senior industry leaders to explore evidence-based pathways for improving health outcomes across India. The discussion drew on four recent white papers developed with CII and Gates Foundation, focusing on family planning, maternal health, child and adolescent health, and innovations in women’s health. Participants committed to using geography-specific data to shape constituency-level solutions, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between policy, industry, and civil society for sustainable impact.
6th CII Public Health Summit 2025
The Women’s Collective Forum, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry and partner institutions, marked the summit with the launch of four key white papers on maternal, child, and adolescent health, along with India’s progress and opportunities in family planning. The launch was graced by Ms. Smriti Irani, Founder and Chairperson, Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity & Equality, and Advisor, WCF. The session also featured Dr. Randeep Guleria of Medanta – The Medicity, Hari Menon of the Gates Foundation, and Dr. V. K. Paul of NITI Aayog. The summit reinforced multi-sector collaboration to strengthen public health systems and advance equitable healthcare outcomes.
Data, Partnerships, and Global South-led Solutions
WCF leads a multi-institutional public health initiative aligned with India’s national health priorities, combining research, systems thinking, and institutional delivery. The initiative focuses on disease elimination, maternal and child health, health technology, and universal health coverage.
By co-designing models with India’s premier institutions, WCF is building a Global South blueprint for public health grounded in context, equity, and evidence.
| Institution | Theme |
|---|---|
| ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) | India’s Progress towards Eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) | India’s Progress in Addressing the Challenge of Tuberculosis |
| National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) | India’s Progress towards Malaria Elimination |
| CII - Population Research Centre (PRC), Institute for Social and Economic Change | India’s Progress in Improving Maternal Health Outcomes |
| CII - Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi | India’s Progress in Improving Child and Adolescent Health Outcomes |
| CII - Population Council Institute, New Delhi | Better Family Planning Outcomes Supporting India’s Progress and Development |
| CII - ISB’s Max Institute of Healthcare Management | New Ideas and Innovations that Can Support Better Women’s Health Outcomes |
| Centre of Excellence in Affordable Healthcare, IIT Kharagpur | How India is Enabling and Leveraging Immunization for Better Health |
| National Disease Modelling Consortium (NDMC), IIT Bombay | Technology for Healthcare: India’s Mantra for Universal Health Coverage |
| IIM Bangalore | Healthcare at Your Doorstep: The Promise of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs |
| AIIMS Patna | Optimising the State’s Strategy for Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis |
| Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRI), Agamkuan | Eradicating Kala-Azar in Endemic Regions |
| Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology | Advancing Maternal and Child Health Initiatives |
| IIM Bodhgaya | Promoting Equitable Access to Affordable Healthcare |
| AIIMS Gorakhpur | Optimising State’s Response to Encephalitis Outbreaks |
| AIIMS Rae Bareli | Accelerating the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis |
| Institute of Medical Sciences BHU | Enhancing Maternal and Child Health Outcomes |
| Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. | Promotion of Equitable Access to Affordable Healthcare |
Postpartum Hemorrhage Drape Protocol | Innovation in Maternal Health
WCF is leading the development of a standardized postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) drape protocol, in collaboration with ICMR and key clinical partners. This first-of-its-kind intervention aims to reduce maternal mortality caused by preventable blood loss during childbirth.
This South-led innovation is grounded in India’s and Africa’s maternal care realities—combining cost-effective design, clinical validation, and systemic integration. WCF has initiated clinical training, including at the Army Hospital, to bring the protocol into mainstream care delivery.
Future Forward | Shaping Global Futures with Indian Solutions
Hosted Mr Bill Gates in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
India’s frugal, scalable innovations are now part of global conversations. Through Future Forward, co-convened with CII and joined by Mr. Bill Gates, WCF spotlighted India’s contributions to agriculture, fintech, gender equity, and public health.
In a dedicated dialogue, WCF and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) presented a portfolio of low-cost, high-impact health technologies developed in India. These were showcased for investment potential, highlighting their adaptability to low-resource settings across the Global South.
This convening positioned India not only as a lab of innovation but as a global partner in rethinking how development is delivered and funded.
Pathways to Inclusive Growth
Governance, Innovation, and Development in a Changing World
The Women’s Collective Forum, in collaboration with the Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity & Equality and Primus Partners, hosted an exclusive roundtable on Pathways to Inclusive Growth on 13 October 2025 in Mumbai. The discussion featured Ms. Smriti Irani, Chairperson, Alliance for Global Good, and Dr. Jean-Louis Arcand, President, Global Development Network. Policymakers, industry leaders, and development experts explored evidence-based policy, institutional reform, and digital innovation to advance sustainable and inclusive growth. The roundtable underscored the importance of governance frameworks, cross-sector collaboration, and people-centred approaches in addressing global development challenges.
Gendered Skies: Addressing Gender Disparity in Aviation
The Women’s Collective Forum anchored a panel discussion on “Gendered Skies: Addressing Gender Disparity in Aviation” at the First International Conference on Aviation Law, hosted by the National Law University, Delhi. Moderated by Richa Sharma, Chief Community Officer, WCF, the session examined systemic barriers and advanced inclusive policies in the aviation sector. The panel featured Dr. Andrea Trimarchi of the University of Bologna, Sunita Dutt of the Indian Women Pilots’ Association, Riya Soni from GMR Airports Limited, and Poonam Chawla of Air Cargo Updates. The discussion highlighted inclusive leadership, equitable opportunities, and policy-driven reforms across the aviation ecosystem.
Institutional Partnerships for Gender Equity
In partnership with CII & CII Centre for Women’s Leadership
The Women’s Collective Forum’s collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry and the CII Centre for Women’s Leadership is helping mainstream gender inclusion across industry leadership, enterprise policy, and national skill frameworks. Anchored in the vision of the Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity & Equality, the partnership advances gender equality as a structural necessity for sustainable growth. WCF also partners with the Confederation of All India Traders, integrating over 80 million micro and small businesses and strengthening visibility, voice, and viability for women-led enterprises within India’s trade ecosystem.
Her Skill, Her Future | A National Commitment to Widows’ Economic Rights
Launched with: The Loomba Foundation & CII Foundation
On January 10, 2025, WCF launched Her Skill, Her Future—a mission to equip 100,000 widows in India with the skills and opportunities to lead economically independent lives.
Launched in the presence of Ms. Cherie Blair, Lord Raj Loomba CBE, and Ms. Smriti Zubin Irani, the initiative is backed by Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal and the CII Foundation. It brings together philanthropy, industry, and policy in a rare national commitment to correct systemic invisibilisation faced by widows.
Legal Reform for Women | Translating Law into Institutional Practice
In collaboration with National Law University, Delhi, National Law University Odisha, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam, and Rashtriya Raksha University, the Women’s Collective Forum is leading a structured national dialogue on legal protections for women under India’s evolving criminal jurisprudence. The initiative extends beyond legislation to focus on police reform, judicial accountability, and survivor-centric implementation.
Regional consultations held across Gujarat, Odisha, Assam, and Delhi are shaping a practical reference framework for states and institutions, strengthening the translation of legal reforms into effective institutional practice.
Inclusion Through Culture
“Violins (ence)for Women”
Through the arts, WCF is building powerful channels for dialogue on gender justice. “Violins(ence) for Women” uses classical performance to open public conversations on gender, violence, and power.
The project’s recent showcase at Akashvani Kendra reinforced how cultural expression can challenge silence, shift public mood, and inspire policy discourse.
Advancing Public Health Forum 2025
The Women’s Collective Forum (WCF), in partnership with the Gates Foundation and CII, proudly launched four comprehensive reports on Disease and Immunisation, aimed at Advancing Public Health Outcomes in India.
The event, held on 24th December at the PM Museum Auditorium, was graced by Hon’ble Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Ji, who officially released the reports. The occasion also saw the presence of eminent leaders in health and research, including:
Smriti Irani – WCF Principal Advisor
Dr. Rajiv Bahl – Director General, ICMR
Dr. Randeep Guleria – Chairman, CII Public Health Council
Saachi Bhalla – Deputy Director, Gates Foundation
These reports provide actionable insights and evidence-based recommendations to strengthen immunisation programs and disease prevention strategies across the country. WCF remains committed to bridging research, policy, and community action to ensure health equity for all.
Close Door Discussion with Members of Parliament
The Women’s Collective Forum, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry, hosted a closed-door interaction with Members of Parliament and senior industry leaders to reflect on evidence-based pathways for improving health outcomes across India.
The discussion drew on four recent white papers developed with CII and the Gates Foundation on family planning, maternal health, child and adolescent health, and innovations in women’s health to inform constituency-level strategies.
Encouragingly, Members of Parliament across party lines committed to engaging with geography-specific data and shaping solutions aligned with local needs.
When policy, industry, and civil society work together, impact follows.
Pathways to Inclusive Growth
Governance, Innovation, and Development in a Changing World
The Women’s Collective Forum (WCF), in collaboration with the Alliance for Global Good and Primus Partners, hosted an exclusive roundtable on Pathways to Inclusive Growth on 13 October 2025 at Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai.
The discussion featured Mrs. Smriti Zubin Irani, Chairperson, Alliance for Global Good, and Dr. Jean-Louis Arcand, President, Global Development Network. Policymakers, industry leaders, and development experts came together to explore how evidence-based policy, institutional reform, and digital innovation can drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
The conversation highlighted the role of governance frameworks, technology-enabled solutions, and cross-sector collaboration in addressing global development challenges and ensuring equitable, resilient, and people-centred growth.
The roundtable reinforced the need to align policy, innovation, and institutional capacity to unlock pathways for inclusive growth in a changing world.
Launch of the SPARK Bootcamp — New Delhi
The Women’s Collective Forum is pleased to announce the successful launch of the first SPARK Bootcamp in New Delhi, inaugurated by Ms. Smriti Irani, the driving force behind the SPARK Collective.
The Bootcamp brought together over 400 women entrepreneurs from diverse sectors and regions, providing them with access to critical knowledge, tools, mentorship, and networks to support the scaling of their enterprises. This launch marks the beginning of a national initiative that aims to empower 100,000 women entrepreneurs across 300 locations in India.
The SPARK initiative is being implemented in partnership with Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity & Equality,Gates Foundation, Deloitte, ICAI, ICSI, British Council, CII, FICCI, CAIT, The Times of India and the ANI.
6th Public Health Summit
The Women’s Collective Forum, in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry and partner institutions, marked the occasion with the launch of four key white papers on Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, along with India’s Progress, Achievements, and Opportunities in Family Planning.
The launch was graced by Ms. Smriti Irani, Founder and Chairperson, The Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity & Equality, and Advisor, Women’s Collective Forum, alongside distinguished voices Dr. Randeep Guleria, Chairman, Governing Council, CII Centre for Health and Chairman, Internal Medicine, Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, Medanta – The Medicity; Mr. Hari Menon, Country Director, India and Lead – Policy & Government Relations, South & Southeast Asia, Gates Foundation; and Dr. V. K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog.
Future Forward | Shaping Global Futures with Indian Solutions
Hosted Mr Bill Gates in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
India’s frugal, scalable innovations are now part of global conversations. Through Future Forward, co-convened with CII and joined by Mr. Bill Gates, WCF spotlighted India’s contributions to agriculture, fintech, gender equity, and public health.
In a dedicated dialogue, WCF and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) presented a portfolio of low-cost, high-impact health technologies developed in India. These were showcased for investment potential, highlighting their adaptability to low-resource settings across the Global South.
This convening positioned India not only as a lab of innovation but as a global partner in rethinking how development is delivered and funded.
Gendered Skies: Addressing Gender Disparity in Aviation
The Women’s Collective Forum anchored a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Gendered Skies: Addressing Gender Disparity in Aviation” at the First International Conference on Aviation Law, hosted by NLU Delhi. The session was moderated by Ms. Richa Sharma, Chief Community Officer, Women’s Collective Forum, and brought together distinguished experts from across the aviation and legal sectors to examine systemic barriers, promote inclusive policies, and advance gender equity in aviation.
The panel featured Dr. Andrea Trimarchi, Aviation Legal Consultant and Research Fellow in Aviation, Space, and Transportation Law at the University of Bologna, Italy; Ms. Sunita Dutt, Member, Indian Women Pilots’ Association (Delhi Chapter) and Supreme Court Lawyer; Ms. Riya Soni, GMR Airports Limited; and Ms. Poonam Chawla, Air Cargo Updates. Through insightful deliberations and shared perspectives, the session highlighted the need for inclusive leadership, equitable opportunities, and policy-driven reforms, reaffirming WCF’s commitment to empowering women across the aviation ecosystem.
Institutional Partnerships for Gender Equity
In partnership with CII & CII Centre for Women’s Leadership
WCF’s collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the CII Centre for Women’s Leadership is helping mainstream gender inclusion across industry leadership, enterprise policy, and national skill frameworks.
From financial inclusion to enterprise readiness, this alliance reflects a commitment to the Alliance for Global Good—advancing gender equality as a structural necessity for sustainable progress.
WCF also partners with the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), integrating over 80 million micro and small businesses—with a strong emphasis on making space for women entrepreneurs within India’s vibrant trade ecosystem. This partnership is creating visibility, voice, and viability for women-led enterprises in grassroots commerce.
Postpartum Hemorrhage Drape Protocol | Innovation in Maternal Health
WCF is leading the development of a standardized postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) drape protocol, in collaboration with ICMR and key clinical partners. This first-of-its-kind intervention aims to reduce maternal mortality caused by preventable blood loss during childbirth.
This South-led innovation is grounded in India’s and Africa’s maternal care realities—combining cost-effective design, clinical validation, and systemic integration. WCF has initiated clinical training, including at the Army Hospital, to bring the protocol into mainstream care delivery.
Her Skill, Her Future | A National Commitment to Widows’ Economic Rights
Launched with: The Loomba Foundation & CII Foundation
On January 10, 2025, WCF launched Her Skill, Her Future—a mission to equip 100,000 widows in India with the skills and opportunities to lead economically independent lives.
Launched in the presence of Ms. Cherie Blair, Lord Raj Loomba CBE, and Ms. Smriti Zubin Irani, the initiative is backed by Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal and the CII Foundation. It brings together philanthropy, industry, and policy in a rare national commitment to correct systemic invisibilisation faced by widows.
Advancing Public Health | Data, Partnerships, and South-led Solutions
Supported by: Gates Foundation
WCF leads a multi-institutional public health initiative aligned with India’s national health priorities, combining research, systems thinking, and institutional delivery. The initiative focuses on disease elimination, maternal and child health, health technology, and universal health coverage.
By co-designing models with India’s premier institutions, WCF is building a Global South blueprint for public health grounded in context, equity, and evidence.
| Institution | Theme |
|---|---|
| ICMR- Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) | India’s Progress towards Eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases |
| National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT) | India’s Progress in Addressing the Challenge of Tuberculosis |
| National Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR) | India’s Progress towards Malaria Elimination |
| CII - Population Research Centre (PRC), Institute for Social and Economic Change | India’s Progress in Improving Maternal Health Outcomes |
| CII - Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi | India’s Progress in Improving Child and Adolescent Health Outcomes |
| CII - Population Council Institute, New Delhi | Better Family Planning Outcomes Supporting India’s Progress and Development |
| CII - ISB’s Max Institute of Healthcare Management | New Ideas and Innovations that Can Support Better Women’s Health Outcomes |
| Centre of Excellence in Affordable Healthcare, IIT Kharagpur | How India is Enabling and Leveraging Immunization for Better Health |
| National Disease Modelling Consortium (NDMC), IIT Bombay | Technology for Healthcare: India’s Mantra for Universal Health Coverage |
| IIM Bangalore | Healthcare at Your Doorstep: The Promise of Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs |
| AIIMS Patna | Optimising the State’s Strategy for Eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis |
| Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRI), Agamkuan | Eradicating Kala-Azar in Endemic Regions |
| Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology | Advancing Maternal and Child Health Initiatives |
| IIM Bodhgaya | Promoting Equitable Access to Affordable Healthcare |
| AIIMS Gorakhpur | Optimising State’s Response to Encephalitis Outbreaks |
| AIIMS Rae Bareli | Accelerating the Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis |
| Institute of Medical Sciences BHU | Enhancing Maternal and Child Health Outcomes |
| Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. | Promotion of Equitable Access to Affordable Healthcare |
NLU Delhi - National Dialogues on Strengthening Legal Protections for Women under the New Criminal Jurisprudence
NDMC, IIT Bombay - Leveraging Digital Health and Data Sciences for Universal Health Coverage
Legal Reform for Women | Translating Law into Institutional Practice
With: NLU Delhi, NLU Odisha, NLU Assam & Rashtriya Raksha University
WCF is leading a structured national dialogue to examine legal protections for women under India’s new criminal jurisprudence. This effort goes beyond legislation—focusing on police reform, judicial accountability, and survivor-centric implementation.
Regional consultations, such as the one held in Delhi, are shaping a reference framework that states and institutions can adopt and act upon.
Inclusion Through Culture and Commerce
Project Highlight: “Violins (ence )for Women”
Through the arts, WCF is building powerful channels for dialogue on gender justice. “Violins(ence) for Women” uses classical performance to open public conversations on gender, violence, and power.
The project’s recent showcase at Akashvani Kendra reinforced how cultural expression can challenge silence, shift public mood, and inspire policy discourse.
