What happens when a woman decides that poverty should never deprive another woman of dignity, opportunity or independence? For Reema Nanavaty, the answer lies in helping women discover their own strength. An Indian social worker and women’s rights advocate, she has dedicated decades of her life to improving the livelihoods of rural women, informal workers and marginalised communities. Her journey demonstrates that real empowerment is not about doing everything for people, but about giving them the resources and opportunities to transform their own lives.
Born on 22 May 1964 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Reema Nanavaty grew up in an environment influenced by social service and the cooperative movement. She pursued science at Gujarat University and later completed a master’s degree in microbiology. She also cleared the civil services examination and was selected for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). For many people, this would have been the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. However, Reema chose a different path, one that would bring her closer to the everyday struggles of women living in poverty.
In 1984, she joined the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), an organisation founded by Ela Bhatt to support women working in the informal economy. These women included farmers, street vendors, artisans, domestic workers and labourers who often lacked job security, fair wages and social protection. Reema recognised that their problems were connected. Women needed not only employment but also access to markets, financial services, technology and the ability to make decisions about their own lives.
Her early work focused on rural women in Gujarat, particularly those struggling with drought, water scarcity and limited livelihood opportunities. She helped women organise themselves, participate in decisions about water resources and develop more secure sources of income. Rather than treating women merely as beneficiaries of development programmes, she encouraged them to become active leaders in their communities.
One of her most significant contributions was helping women turn traditional skills into sustainable livelihoods. Through cooperatives, self-help groups and women-led enterprises, she worked to connect rural producers with wider markets. Initiatives such as RUDI, a rural distribution network for agricultural products, created opportunities for women to participate in the supply chain, from producing goods to selling them. The Hansiba initiative also helped bring the craftsmanship of rural women artisans to wider audiences, allowing them to earn from their skills while preserving traditional knowledge.
In 1999, Reema became SEWA’s General Secretary. Under her leadership, the organisation expanded its work in women’s economic empowerment, rural development and livelihood security. She played an important role in relief and rehabilitation efforts following the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, helping affected rural women rebuild their livelihoods. She also contributed to programmes supporting people affected by communal violence in Gujarat and women recovering from conflict in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Her vision also included environmental sustainability. Through initiatives such as Hariyali, she promoted access to renewable energy solutions, including solar-powered equipment, for rural women. These efforts helped connect environmental protection with practical needs such as farming, household energy and income generation. She also encouraged the use of digital tools to help women access information and reach new markets.
Reema’s work has earned recognition in India and internationally. In 2013, she received the Padma Shri for her contribution to social service. She has also contributed to international discussions on gender equality, workers’ rights and the future of work, including through the International Labour Organization’s High-Level Global Commission on the Future of Work.
In October 2026, she received the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award, recognising her efforts to advance women’s empowerment and contribute to a more peaceful and secure world. This honour brought further attention to her decades of work with women whose contributions to society are often overlooked.
Reema Nanavaty’s journey reminds us that meaningful change begins when we recognise the potential in people whom society often underestimates. Her work has helped women gain greater control over their livelihoods, participate in economic activity and build confidence in their abilities. She has shown that when women are given the tools to succeed, they do not simply improve their own lives. They strengthen their families, communities and the generations that follow.
Her story is a reminder that leadership is not always about standing at the front. Sometimes, it means standing beside others until they discover that they can lead, too.