The BAPS Women’s Wing in the UAE celebrated International Women's Day 2022 at the site of the under-construction BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Around 410 women from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ruwais attended this enlightening spiritual and cultural event.
Based on the central theme of 'Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow', the event featured speeches, as well as video, dance and drama presentations emphasizing that women are the architects of society. The assembly included talks on women empowerment through religion, culture, and welfare. The attendees learnt about the inspiring stories of Vidushi Gargi – a renowned philosopher of the Indian Upanishadic era, the great 18th century ruler Rani Ahilyabai Holkar, India's first female IPS officer Kiran Bedi and the many services performed by the BAPS Women's Wing in the UAE.
The chief guest of the event was 'Pravasi Ratna' Shilpaben Nair. Other special guests included Dr. Nishi Singh, a social worker in the Indian Consulate; Jayaben Ganatra, Lohana Mahila Mandal Nivedita Charitable Trust and Bharat Vikas Parishad; Mrs. Bagde, a native of Turkey who is an assistant architect in the BAPS Hindu Mandir project; and Artiben Sharaf, founder of 'Tender Hearts' – an organization that helps children with mental disabilities.
At the conclusion of this event, all attendees viewed the exhibition of the under-construction mandir and many attendees contributed to the Brick By Brick project.