Mumbai witnessed a compelling chapter in India’s women empowerment journey with the News18 SheShakti 2025-Mumbai Edition, making a dynamic regional debut in collaboration with Lions International.

Held on August 5, the third season of SheShakti was not just a celebration but a vision for the future of Bharat, built by women who lead across the spectrum — from grassroots to global.

Expanding beyond its two national editions, this year’s SheShakti turned its lens to Maharashtra — a state with a rich history of female leadership. The event’s theme, ‘From Breaking Barriers to Building Bharat’, was powerfully echoed throughout the sessions by changemakers who have transformed their sectors.

Among the leading voices was Ashwini Bhide, Principal Secretary to Maharashtra CM, often dubbed Mumbai’s ‘Metro Woman’ for her fearless handling of mega infrastructure projects. She emphasized the urgency of upgrading urban transport with global benchmarks, noting, “Unless we create a robust and strong global standard of public transport in Mumbai, it’ll be very difficult for Mumbaikars to commute the way they deserve.”

From the world of entertainment, actor Shriya Pilgaonkar shared her experience of navigating the shifting landscape of women’s roles in OTT and cinema. “You have to be stubborn about your dreams and flexible about your plan. The industry is quick to box you, so your power needs to come from within,” she said.

Lakshmi Iyer, Group President Designate at Bajaj Finserv, underlined the need for financial independence, stating, “Financial freedom is like oxygen. For women, it should feel like Independence Day.”

Equally resonant was the message from Dr. Neerja Birla, Chairperson, Aditya Birla Education Trust, who spotlighted mental health. “We’re conditioned to be caregivers. But if my own cup is half full, how can I give to anyone else?” she asked, bringing to light the silent emotional labour carried by women in both professional and domestic settings.

In a fitting finale, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis delivered a compelling keynote, championing gender equity as essential to state development. “Only those countries have accelerated growth where they recognized the value of the other 50 percent of the population — women,” he said.