About Us

Empowering Women Globally

The Women's Collective Forum (WCF) is committed to advancing gender equality and equity, with a strong focus on women’s health, education, and entrepreneurship.

Challenging Dependency Cycles

WCF aims to break the "cycle of dependency" that has historically influenced policy-making between the Global North and South, addressing unique gender challenges faced by women in developing regions.

Partnering for Change

In pursuit of these goals, WCF partners with leading organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Confederation of Indian Industry, Confederation of All India Traders, and others to drive impactful change.

Our Advisory Board Members

Ms Smriti Zubin Irani

Smriti Zubin Irani is a distinguished former Union Minister of India, having held portfolios in Women & Child Development, Minority Affairs, Textiles, Education, and Information & Broadcasting. She was instrumental in conceiving the New Education Policy of India and introduced significant initiatives such as SWAYAM and the National Digital Library. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she made India the world’s second-largest PPE producer as Textiles Minister. She also strengthened child protection laws as Minister for Women & Child Development. Elected to key roles at the 126th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, she is recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum and served as USAID Goodwill Ambassador to India. A social innovator and political activist, she pursued Permanent Commission for Women in the Indian Army and launched 'Saksham,' the first-ever vision document by a political organization to uplift the differently-abled in India.

Mr Vikram Sood

Formerly heading the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India's external intelligence agency, Mr. Vikram Sood is a distinguished expert in security, foreign relations, and strategic issues. He currently serves as an Adviser at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF). Mr. Sood is a prolific writer, regularly contributing to prominent journals and newspapers such as Hindustan Times, The Asian Age, and Midday (Mumbai). His insights are also featured in several books on security, China, intelligence, and India's neighborhood. He is the author of two acclaimed books, "The Unending Game: A Former R&AW Chief's Insights into Espionage" (2018) and "The Ultimate Goal" (2020), providing in-depth perspectives on strategic affairs.

Mr Yaniv Konchitchki

Yaniv Konchitchki is a Tenured Associate Professor and Distinguished Teaching Fellow at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Renowned for his expertise, he is also a Professional Macro Forecaster for the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Founder & Faculty Director of the Berkeley Fintech Program. As a founding father of Macro-Accounting, Professor Konchitchki conducts pioneering research on financial-based solutions to real-world problems, benefiting macroeconomics, finance, accounting, and related disciplines. He advises global executives on strategy, innovation, corporate financial and risk matters, and the impact of macroeconomic changes on their firms, such as inflation, interest rate risks, and cash flow sensitivities.

Ms Anita Bhatia

Anita Bhatia is the Founder of ImpactCommons and a former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director at UN Women. A seasoned senior executive and leader, she has over three decades of experience in gender equality, international development, sustainable finance, and organizational transformation. Anita has been instrumental in strengthening strategic partnerships with Heads of State, Ministers, CEOs, policymakers, civil society, women's rights organizations, refugees, entrepreneurs, as well as corporates, banks, asset managers, and institutional investors. Her work has focused on advancing gender equality, financial inclusion, support for women-owned businesses, and other priorities critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Voices of Leadership and Collaboration

Gender equity policies are key to growth in the Global South. In order to expand our global competitiveness, leaders of government and commerce throughout the Global South must ensure that gender equity policies are fully implemented... education, healthcare, childcare, and housing policies disproportionately impact women — especially in developing and growing economies like ours. It is critical that we get the policy right so that women and girls can help lead government and industry, while also fulfilling their personal potential.

The Women’s Collective Forum has accelerated entrepreneurial opportunities for female members of the Confederation of All India Traders. They bring a unique insight to the needs and aspirations of women in the SME segment and help facilitate their growth through robust socio - economic frameworks of engagement.

India has made tremendous progress on expanding access to health coverage, good nutrition, safe sanitation, digital financial services, agriculture productivity and women’s economic empowerment. We look forward to supporting these initiatives through our technical and global expertise, to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life.

Our Projects

Through our initiatives, we contribute to the Alliance for Global Good, Gender Equity, and Equality—a global collective of governments, industries, and development organizations committed to inspiring intentional actions that empower women worldwide to achieve their economic potential.

“Violins(e̶n̶c̶e̶) for Women”—a musical outreach highlighting the urgent issue of violence against women, in partnership with Akashvani.

Contact us: womenscollectiveforum@gmail.com