Bonn, Germany: India has made a historical triumph by getting the honour of being elected once again to the International Raiffeisen Union (IRU) Board. Dr. Nandini Azad, a prominent figure in the cooperative world, has once again etched her name in the annals of history by securing re-election to the IRU Board, a position she first ascended to in 2018. Her election to the IRU Board earlier made her the first woman to join the board in 50 years and the only woman in the world to be re-elected to this prestigious position. This historical victory solidifies her status as a trailblazer in cooperative leadership and also reaffirms her commitment to gender equality, poverty alleviation, and cooperative ideals.
The IRU is a prestigious worldwide association of national cooperative organisations and it is built upon the foundational ideas of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen, widely regarded as the ‘Father of Cooperatives.’ With 53 member organisations spanning 33 countries across the globe, including Switzerland, Austria, France, Netherlands, Kenya, and India, IRU plays a pivotal role in advancing cooperative ideals and practices on a global scale.
With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Azad has consistently made significant contributions to fields such as gender equality, cooperatives, poverty alleviation, development, and financial inclusion. Her journey to the IRU Board began with her service as a special invitee to the Raiffeisen Board on gender diversity, where she played a pivotal role in advocating for greater inclusion and representation of women in the cooperative sector.
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“Celebrating this historic re-election to the International Raiffeisen Union Board is not just a personal victory; it’s a triumph for the principles of cooperation, gender equality, and social inclusion. This reaffirms our commitment to building a world where every voice, regardless of gender, is heard and valued within the cooperative movement. Together, we will continue to break down barriers and create a brighter, more inclusive future for cooperatives worldwide,” said, Dr. Nandini Azad.
The re-election of Dr. Nandini Azad to the IRU Board is not just a personal triumph but also a testament to India’s commitment to cooperative ideals and gender equality. Her journey from Chennai to the global stage of cooperative leadership is a beacon of hope and inspiration, encouraging both men and women to break stereotypes and reach new heights in cooperative leadership.
Her trailblazing journey continued as she broke barriers, becoming the only woman in the world to secure re-election to this prestigious board. Her second-term victory reaffirmed her commitment to fostering cooperation and sustainable development on a global scale.
Beyond her international achievements, Dr. Azad’s exceptional contributions to India’s social and cooperative sector have earned her recognition among 133 influential figures, as acknowledged by the renowned German Indologist, Prof. Dietmar Rothermund, in his book titled ‘My Encounters in India.’ This recognition underscores her profound impact on the cooperative movement and her tireless efforts to promote gender equality and alleviate poverty.
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Dr. Azad’s influence extends far beyond the IRU Board. She currently serves as the Elected President of the Indian Cooperative Network for Women (ICNW), where her work touches the lives of 600,000 poor women involved in 276 different trades within the informal sector across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. Her dedication to the cooperative movement has also been evident in her roles as the Chairperson of the Outreach Committee for the National Credit Fund for Women (Rashtriya Mahila Kosh-RMK) and the E-Women’s Market Portal (Mahila E-Haat) under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India from 2014 to 2020.
Dr. Azad also serves as the Global Coordinator of Cooperatives, a prestigious nomination by the World Farmers Organization in Rome. Her role as a member of the Governing Board of the National Council for Cooperative Training (NCCT), under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, further solidifies her influence.
Dr. Azad’s groundbreaking regional study titled ‘Gender is more than a Statistic – Status of Women in Co-operatives in the Asia-Pacific Region’ encompassed 18 countries and 28 apex cooperative organisations, shedding light on the vital role of gender inclusivity within the cooperative landscape.
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As the elected Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of the International Cooperative Alliance – Asia Pacific Women’s Committee (ICA-AP-2016-21), Dr. Azad’s leadership has resonated worldwide. The ICA-AP, representing 200 cooperative federations and organisations across 110 countries, recognises her immense contributions.
Dr. Nandini Azad’s sustained leadership is poised to shape the future of cooperatives by enhancing women’s inclusivity and global impact. Her dedication to cooperative values, poverty alleviation, and gender equality embodies the ideals of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen and sets a powerful example for cooperative leaders worldwide.
Photo caption: Dr. Nandini Azad after her election to the International Raiffeisen Global Board, with the newly elected President, Hoffman from Luxembourg; Dr. Eckhard Ott, Vice President from DGRV; Hans Groeneveld Treasurer from the Netherlands and Andreas Kappes, Secretary General, International Raiffeisen Union.
