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Reimagining Development Through Gender-Sensitive Ecosocial Work Practice

...For me, as a practicing social worker, this reaffirmed the value of embracing the unknown. Authentic narratives arise not only from what research already tells us, but from the discoveries we make when we step outside familiar frameworks and genuinely listen to voices that challenge, surprise, or even amuse us. The recent accounts of women in Bihar illustrate this powerfully—their lived experiences cut through political and academic assumptions, shaping a truly authentic, people-led narrative for change ." The 13th Indian Social Work Conference offered many powerful insights, but the session that stayed with me the most was the plenary on “Reimagining Development through Gender-Sensitive Ecosocial Work Practice.” I want to begin by acknowledging Dr. R. Nalini, Professor of Social Work at Pondicherry University , whose paper “Gender Suffering and Structural Inequality: An Ecosocial Analysis of Women in Substance-Affected Families” brought depth, clarity, and compassion to the...
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Caregiving as a Social Workforce: Choice, Joy, or Just Economic Activity?

At Vidya Lead Academy, we believe caregiving is more than a duty or an invisible responsibility—it is the foundation of family well-being and a cornerstone of social development. Yet, society continues to debate whether caregiving is a matter of virtue and joy or merely an economic activity contributing to GDP. There is a big difference between cooking for one’s family out of love and cooking in a commercial kitchen for pay. Similarly, caring for a sick parent, child, or partner at home carries a personal connection that no commercial service can replace. However, when this role is undervalued and unpaid, it often leads to what experts call “ time poverty ,” especially among women. The Unpaid vs. Paid Care Work Dilemma In India, women spend an average of 137 minutes a day on unpaid caregiving, compared to just 75 minutes for men ( MoSPI Time Use Survey 2024 ). This disproportionate burden not only affects women’s mental and physical health but also keeps them away from formal e...
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Vidya Lead Academy’s SMART Commitments to WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–2034)

Where ethical traditional medicine meets community trust—Vidya Lead Academy’s SMART commitments shaping the future of TCIM. Vidya Lead Academy is pleased to share that its SMART Commitments , submitted as a private, non-State actor , were formally acknowledged during the Closing Ceremony of the Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine , held in New Delhi on 19 December 2025 . Among sixty global commitments showcased at the Summit, Vidya Lead Academy’s commitment was displayed in the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister of India , the World Health Organization Director-General , and the Honourable Union Ministers for Health & Family Welfare and AYUSH , underscoring India’s leadership in ethical, community-centered Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) . A Commitment Rooted in Safety, Ethics, and Community Care Through its SMART Commitments, Vidya Lead Academy focuses on strengthening the quality, safety, and ethical delivery of TCIM-based addic...
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