The Women’s Leaders Conclave (WLC) 2025—a landmark three-day gathering celebrating transformative women across governance, business, literature, education, health, and the arts—was held from April 7th to 9th, 2025 at multiple venues across Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, including SKICC, IIM Nowgam, and Royal Springs Golf Course.

Organized by Stree Shakti – The Parallel Force and She Leads, the event was spearheaded by Rekha Mody (Founder, Stree Shakti) and Dr. Nirja Mattoo (Co-Lead), with Farzana Mumtaz serving as Co-Coordinator. The conclave was supported by eminent leaders including Dr. Farooq Abdullah, MP and President of the J&K National Conference; Sakina Masood Itoo, Cabinet Minister, Government of J&K; Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & MD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group; Aruna Oswal, Chairperson, PHDCCI Committee on Women, Child Development & Entrepreneurship; Supriya Badve, CEO, Belrise Pvt Ltd; and many others.

WLC 2025 marked a milestone moment for Jammu & Kashmir becoming a powerful platform to advocate gender equity, amplify women’s voices, and shape a vision for inclusive national progress. With participation from academics, political figures, entrepreneurs, and civil society leaders from across India and beyond, the conclave resonated with the shared message: empowered women empower nations.

The opening session at Royal Springs Golf Course set a powerful tone of reflection, resilience, and forward-looking vision. Dr. Jyotsna Suri, sharing her journey as one of the foremost women in Indian hospitality, emphasized how perseverance and bold leadership can redefine industries. She applauded the Stree Shakti team for creating a platform in Kashmir that encourages women to dream bigger and support each other.

Nuzhat Gull, Sports Secretary of J&K, spoke with conviction about how Kashmiri women are breaking barriers and achieving excellence in sports, once considered off-limits. “Their stories are no less than those of national heroes,” she said, pointing to the state’s growing infrastructure and support systems for female athletes.

Eminent author Alka Sarogi, discussing her novel Gandhi and Sarla Devi, reflected on the often-overlooked contributions of women in India’s freedom struggle. “The legacy of women like Sarla Devi reminds us that India’s path to independence wasn’t walked by men alone,” she said.

“Women are empowered when they interact with and meet other empowered women,” said Rekha Mody in her opening remarks. She elaborated that these interactions aren’t just inspiring—they are transformative. “It is in the exchange of real experiences and the collective strength of women across diverse backgrounds that we find solutions, solidarity, and a renewed spirit to create lasting change,” she affirmed.

On Day 2, IIM Nowgam became a vibrant hub of exchange on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, holistic health, well-being, education, sports, to gender equity. Leaders from across sectors offered diverse perspectives. Whether it was addressing the need for financial literacy among rural women or rethinking education models for young girls, the sessions were rich in insight and impact.

Rekha Mody noted during these discussions that “Kashmir has always been an epicenter of positive energy, spirituality, and silent strength. We’re not just here to speak of women’s empowerment—we’re here to send a message of peace, resilience, and inclusive progress to the world.” She further shared that several demands raised earlier by Stree Shakti and She Leads—like free transport for women and reservation reforms—have already seen movement, and the conclave will pave the way for more actionable recommendations.

The final day at SKICC Srinagar brought with it a historic promise. Dr. Farooq Abdullah, while lauding the commitment of women leaders and the vision of Stree Shakti, pledged to allocate suitable land for establishing a permanent Women’s Center in Jammu & Kashmir under the leadership of Rekha Mody and her team.

“Women must work hard to rise and make use of reservation opportunities without being controlled by men,” Dr. Abdullah stated emphatically. He stressed the importance of women owning their ambition and participating fully in leadership roles. He further declared: “I will personally ensure that Stree Shakti has the land it needs to build a center that uplifts women across health, education, and economic dimensions.”

Aruna Oswal, prominent philanthropist and chairperson at PHDCCI, urged women to shed hesitations and step into their full potential. “Let us create a viksat Bharat for every woman of the country where she acts boldly and thinks freely,” she said. Her words resonated across the room, drawing applause from women who are already rewriting what leadership looks like.

The conclave honored excellence with two prestigious awards. The Dayawati Modi Stree Shakti Award was conferred upon Farzana Mumtaz, Editor-in-Chief of Weekly News Kashmir, for her trailblazing role in media and her unflinching advocacy for women’s voices in the public domain. Her work has opened doors for women journalists and created space for nuanced, woman-centric storytelling in the region.

The Vidushi Viddyottama Award went to Prof. Kashinath Nyupane, an acclaimed Sanskrit scholar from Nepal, for his scholarly contribution to preserving and disseminating Indian classical knowledge. His work was recognized as vital to India’s intellectual and cultural legacy.

India’s first all-women mission rock band, Meri Zindagi, brought the conclave to life with an electrifying performance that celebrated courage, resistance, and joy true to the spirit of the three-day event.

The Stree Shakti Women Leaders Conclave 2025 didn’t just conclude but it sparked a movement. It bridged geographies, united minds, and amplified the voices of women who are shaping the future of India from the grassroots to the top. As the echoes of dialogue and song faded into the hills of Kashmir, what remained was a promise that this was only the beginning.