Businesswoman and social worker Yasmine Mistry and campaigner against child sexual abuse Pooja Taparia were felicitated by Zonta Club of Bombay (ZCB) as Women of the Year. "I know what women go through,” said Mistry, adding, "Though we say we are, we are not really empowered… The beginning has to be from home to school, to neighborhood, to community to give opportunities to girls and women… When women are self-reliant, the world will be a better place.” Founder and chief executive officer of a nongovernmental organization Arpan, Taparia said that they work with schools to assist students to have an enjoyable and safe childhood. They have been able to include awareness sessions in all the states (28 plus eight union territories) of India. Arpan works with adults who have been subjected to abuse as children. Taparia spoke of the freedom from guilt they experience when they hear "It is not my fault.”
Women of the Year Yasmine Mistry and Pooja Taparia (rear, 4th and 7th from l)
with guest of honor Shreejana Rana (5th from l),
other awardees, office bearers and well-wishers of Zonta
The Awards were presented at the Club III’s 45th and Club I’s 65th joint charter night on April 27, 2024 at West End Hotel. Past president Mahazaver Dalal sent Parsiana a note on the event. "We, Zontians of 65 countries, are fortunate and have the zeal to give opportunities to women and girls… We celebrate womanhood…Today men are also supporting Zonta’s calls ‘Zonta Says Now — action for Climate Change with Gender Equality’ and ‘Zonta Says No to Violence,’” stated guest of honor and District 25 governor Shreejana Rana. Earlier, ZCB I president Daisee Boga in her welcome address said that the occasion was to appreciate service of past Zontians and to look ahead to a better world for women and girls.
Zonta International’s official Errick Elavia conveyed the greetings of Zonta International president Ute Scholz. Both Clubs spoke about their programs and activities to the audience.
Others felicitated include retired central government director of audit Asha Sawant; assistant commissioner of police Shobha Pise; young teacher Ansuja Madival; Priyanka Thakkar and Reshma Gurve of Kshitij Foundation. Certificates from Zonta International were given to women in business and for scholarships. ZCB III has in this year supported the Jai Vakeel School with training materials and laptops for girls whose marriages had been annulled. ZCB I supports the Dharavi Dairy.
Masters of ceremony were ZCB I past president Maharukh Karbhari and ZCB III director Prajakta Chaudhari. The vote of thanks was delivered by ZCB III vice president Navaz Dhalla.
Zonta International "stands for women’s rights… We advocate equality, education and an end to child marriage and gender-based violence,” states their website. Zonta is an American-Indian word taken from the Sioux dialect meaning "honest and trustworthy.”