UditVani, New Delhi : Jharkhand MLA Kalpana Soren was conferred with the prestigious Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award at the BRICS CCI WE Annual Women Summit 2026, held at Hyatt Regency New Delhi.
The summit brought together an influential gathering of national and international leaders, policymakers, and changemakers.
Recognition for Advancing Women’s Empowerment
The award, presented by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry under its women empowerment initiative, recognised Soren’s impactful work in advancing gender equity, fostering social transformation, and enhancing women’s participation in economic and community leadership.
A Collective Honour for Women
In her acceptance address, Soren described the recognition as a shared achievement.
She dedicated the award to women across Jharkhand and beyond, acknowledging their vital contributions in shaping resilient families, vibrant communities, and sustainable economies.
She underscored the transformative role of women across sectors—ranging from enterprise and governance to science and innovation—highlighting their growing influence in driving inclusive development.
Focus on Marginalised Voices
Emphasising inclusive growth, Soren called for greater attention to women from marginalised communities through improved access to opportunities and institutional support.
She noted that under the leadership of Hemant Soren, women in Jharkhand are increasingly emerging as entrepreneurs and decision-makers rather than mere beneficiaries.
She also lauded the expanding network of self-help groups and grassroots enterprises for strengthening financial independence and confidence among women.
Beyond Inclusion: The Case for Equity
Reflecting on her recent visit to London, Soren spoke about students from Jharkhand studying at the University of Oxford, commending their determination.
She stressed that true empowerment must move beyond inclusion to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for every woman to lead and succeed.
Distinguished Presence at the Summit
The summit witnessed the presence of eminent personalities including Meenakshi Lekhi, Raksha Khadse, Abhishek Singh, Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Shabana Azmi, and Bhumi Pednekar, alongside international delegates and representatives from BRICS nations.
