Mumbai: On this International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women across the world. From breaking barriers to leading change, women continue to redefine possibilities and shape a future that is inclusive, diverse, and full of opportunity.
This year, let’s not just acknowledge their contributions but actively champion their voices, aspirations, and rights. Because when women rise, the world rises with them. Here’s to progress, equality, and an unstoppable future—driven by women, for everyone.
Nidhi Sabbarwal is the visionary founder and driving force behind Kalyanamm Holy Waste Recycling Pvt Ltd., a pioneering sustainable brand based in Noida, India. With a deep commitment to environmental conservation and women’s empowerment, Nidhi has steered Kalyanamm to address the pressing issue of sacred waste generated from temples and holy places. Under her leadership, the company has innovatively transformed this waste into eco-friendly, organic, and vegan products, including incense sticks, dhoop sticks, and dhoop cones available in six captivating fragrances: Tea Tree, Tulsi, Sandalwood, Indian Rose, Jasmine, and Lavender.
Nidhi’s strategic vision has propelled Kalyanamm’s growth through a Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) model, ensuring easy accessibility of products via e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, as well as the company’s official website. Her dedication to blending sustainability with spirituality has not only set Kalyanamm apart in the market but also fostered a loyal customer base of modern, eco-conscious consumers.
Looking ahead, Nidhi is focused on diversifying Kalyanamm’s product line, expanding offline presence, and exploring international markets. Her unwavering commitment to innovation and eco-friendly practices continues to inspire a cleaner, greener future, seamlessly integrating tradition with sustainability.
MadeInMedia.in’s Kalpana Ravi in conversation with Nidhi Sabbarwal, Founder At Kalyanamm on this initiative and the role organisations need to adopt to enhance women empowerment in the work place.
What are some of the biggest challenges women still face in leadership roles, and how can organizations foster real change?
Women leaders often experience biases, under guidance, and conflict between personal and professional life. Most organizations still continue to work with outdated gender views, making it increasingly difficult for women to break the glass ceiling. To bring a genuine change, organizations need to adopt unbiased recruitment processes and promotional strategies, foster mentorship programs, and establish flexible workplace timings.
Women-specific leadership training and good representation at decision-making tables can also make a huge difference. Most importantly, creating a culture of inclusiveness in which women are heard and respected will lead to lasting change.
With evolving work environments, how can companies better support women in achieving a healthy work-life balance?
With flexible work arrangements and rising professional expectations, women tend to play multiple roles. Employers can help them by providing flexible working hours, family leaves, and work-from-home policies. Promoting a boundary culture of setting limits where personal time is valued equally has become the key to work-life balance.
Offering on-premises childcare, wellness initiatives, and mental health services can also make life easier for working moms. Above all, leaders must make work-life balance the norm for all employees so that women are not forced to make a choice between career advancement and personal health.
How can media and advertising play a stronger role in shaping positive and empowering narratives for women?
Media has a powerful influence in shaping societal perceptions, where women are often depicted as stereotypical characters. To drive empowering narratives, companies need to present women as leaders, change makers, and innovation champions, not caregivers or beauty queens.
Using real-life success stories, women-run business story-telling and reversing traditional gender roles in stories can positively impact society. Moreover, women behind the camera also need to be represented by media businesses by employing more women as directors, writers, and producers so that content reflects the aspirations of women.
As more women enter STEM and digital fields, what initiatives can help bridge the gender gap in these industries?
Empowering young girls to pursue STEM starts with exposing them to basics such as coding, robotics, and school science classes early. Mentorship, scholarships, and women’s networking groups can assist future professionals. Firms have to actively recruit, retain, and advance women in technology through the implementation of inclusive recruitment practices and leadership development. Women leaders in STEM being seen and their success being celebrated will encourage more women to seek and excel in these careers. A gender-diverse workforce is not entirely ethical since it equates to more diverse and innovative ideas.
What steps can individuals and businesses take to empower women towards greater financial literacy and independence?
Financial independence is a crucial element of empowering women. Businesses can play an important role by offering financial literacy education, negotiation skills, and investment counseling specifically for women. They can also provide mentorship programs and create an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities.
At an individual level, women can take control by proactively acquiring knowledge on savings, investments, and entrepreneurship and seeking professional advice when required. Open and honest discussions regarding wealth-building, equal pay for equal work and community support will continue to advance financial independence and long-term empowerment of women.