Chandigarh, Mar 6: Across the villages of Punjab, thousands of women are quietly rewriting the narrative of rural leadership. This International Women’s Day, Roundglass Foundation celebrates the journey of over 17,000 rural women who have emerged as key drivers of social transformation across the state through community-led programs focused on sustainability, youth development and wellbeing.
Working across initiatives such as The Billion Tree Project, Waste Management Program, Yoga Program, Learn Labs and Sports Centers, these women have played a central role in implementing on-ground development efforts in villages across Punjab. What began as participation in community programs has evolved into leadership, economic independence and growing recognition within their communities.
Among these emerging leaders is Simran, Sarpanch of Fatehpur village, whose story reflects the broader transformation taking place across rural Punjab. In a system where women elected to village leadership roles have often been overshadowed by male relatives, Simran represents a different model of governance.
Stepping into her role with agency and purpose, she actively oversees local initiatives such as educational Learn Labs, waste management systems and youth sports programs while working closely with the community to address environmental and developmental challenges. Her journey illustrates how training, mentorship and community support can enable women to lead effectively in grassroots governance.
The Roundglass Foundation model focuses on equipping rural women with practical skills and opportunities that allow them to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Through structured engagement in environmental restoration, waste management, wellness programs and youth development initiatives, women gain training in communication, administration and technical aspects of community work.
This approach has led to a noticeable shift not only in economic participation but also in social perception. Women involved in these programs report stronger confidence, improved communication skills and greater dignity within their communities. Many have become trusted facilitators of change, helping villages adopt sustainable practices while encouraging young people to participate in sports, education, wellness and environmental stewardship.
At scale, the collective contribution of these women has been instrumental in enabling Roundglass Foundation programs to operate across hundreds of villages in Punjab. Their leadership demonstrates that sustainable rural development becomes far more effective when local communities and particularly women are placed at the center of implementation. This Women’s Day, the Foundation acknowledges that the progress achieved across its initiatives is inseparable from the commitment of these women who continue to shape change in their villages every day.
Addressing the occasion, Vishal Chowla, Leader at Roundglass Foundation said,
“Our belief has always been that when women are given the opportunity to discover their strengths and capabilities, they become powerful agents of change for their communities. The leadership demonstrated by thousands of rural women across Punjab is proof that sustainable transformation begins at the grassroots level,