On the occasion of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, KHPT and USAID organized an event titled ‘Women Leadership in Health: A centre-stage discussion’ on March 9 in Hyderabad. Ms. Jennifer Larson, Consul General, USAID, India delivered the keynote address.

Panelists at the event included representatives from the Government of Telangana, the Government of Karnataka, officials from the State TB cell and the State AIDS Control Society, Government of Telangana, USAID health partners in the region, and members from the community.

Smt. Uma Mahadevan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, Government of Karnataka, shared her experiences in working with local governance structures, and learnings from the implementation of the Graama Panchayath Arogya Amrutha Abhiyaana (GPAAA) to achieve health for all for the most vulnerable populations, particularly women.

Dr Yogita Rana, IAS, Commissioner, Scheduled Caste Department, Government of Telangana, reflected on the need to engage community structures like SHGs to strengthen programs and augment community engagement towards a more gender-responsive approach.

Dr Reuben Swamickan, Chief, Infectious Diseases Division, USAID; Dr Evita Fernandes, Chairperson, Fernandez Foundation; Dr Sumalatha and Dr Sneha from the Telangana State TB Cell; Ms. Anupama Srinivasan, Assistant Director, REACH, and Rachana Mudraboyina, a transgender rights activist, were also panellists at the event.