New Delhi, March 19, 2026: Marking International Women’s Month under the theme #GiveToGain, PVR NEST and CREA hosted a powerful event in New Delhi that brought together cinema and critical conversations to spotlight issues of gender, sanitation, safety, and dignity.
The initiative convened over 100 participants, including development professionals, educators, students, and grassroots leaders, to engage in dialogue around inclusive urban systems and women’s rights. The event emphasized that investing in women’s dignity and access to essential services creates stronger, more equitable communities.
At the heart of the programme was a screening of the award-winning Hindi film Guthlee Laddoo, known for its socially relevant storytelling. The screening was followed by an insightful panel discussion featuring experts and practitioners working at the intersection of gender and development.
Speaking at the event, Shaheen Qamar from Plan India highlighted the importance of building gender-transformative ecosystems that empower adolescent girls to access education and livelihood opportunities. Manisha Mashaal, an eminent lawyer, shared her personal journey of overcoming caste-based discrimination, underscoring the challenges faced by women navigating structural inequalities.
From the implementation perspective, Rajalakshmi Narayanan, WASH Lead at PVR NEST, elaborated on how inclusive sanitation design, risk mapping, and the deployment of WASH Champions across centres are helping reduce vulnerabilities for migrant women and girls. Adding grassroots insights, Kavita, a WASH Champion and Centre Incharge, spoke about how everyday hygiene discussions often evolve into platforms for confidence-building among women in underserved communities.
Highlighting the role of storytelling, Deepa Menon, Founder of PVR NEST and Senior Vice President – Corporate Communications at PVR INOX Limited, said, “Cinema opens our hearts to realities that data alone cannot capture. Our work across urban slum communities shows that access to safe sanitation is directly linked to safety, education, and economic participation for women and girls.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Anuradha Chatterji, Executive Director at CREA, emphasized that sanitation goes beyond infrastructure. “It is a question of power, safety, and inclusion. When cities are designed keeping marginalized women and sanitation workers at the forefront, we strengthen not just infrastructure, but democracy and justice,” she said. She also noted that the programme was part of CREA’s Gender and WASH initiative supported by the Gates Foundation, aimed at identifying gaps and opportunities for gender inclusivity in sanitation systems.
For over two decades, PVR NEST has been working across 35 urban slum communities, impacting more than one million lives through initiatives focused on safety, sanitation, and protection for migrant women and girls. Its projects, including Garima Grih and Pink Centres, aim to create safe, dignified spaces in vulnerable urban settings.
CREA, a global feminist human rights organisation based in New Delhi, brings over 25 years of experience in advancing gender equality and reproductive rights. The organisation works across multiple levels to strengthen feminist leadership and advocate for the rights of structurally excluded communities.
The event concluded with a shared commitment by both organisations to continue advancing inclusive, dignity-centred sanitation systems that integrate infrastructure, empathy, and community leadership to drive long-term change.
