Pune: EmpowerHER’s Annual Meet Highlights Women’s Role in Water Sustainability

By Ketaki Latkar
Pune, 29th December 2025: The EmpowerHER Foundation hosted its annual meet at the Deccan Gymkhana Club on Sunday, December 21, featuring a lecture focused on the importance of water conservation and sustainable practices in everyday life.

Renowned ecologist and sustainability expert Dr. Gurudas Nulkar delivered the keynote address, underscoring the pivotal role women have traditionally played in managing household resources and their potential to lead water conservation efforts today. A Professor and Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune, and a Visiting Professor at IIT Kanpur, Dr. Nulkar is widely recognised for his work in ecological restoration, climate resilience, and community-led sustainability initiatives.

“With the right information and exposure, women can play an extremely crucial role in water conservation, especially at a time when it is needed the most,” Dr. Nulkar said. Highlighting individual consumption patterns, he noted that of the 150 litres of water used per person daily, nearly 140 litres ultimately returns to rivers as wastewater. He stressed that even small behavioural changes in daily routines can significantly reduce this wastage, with women emerging as key influencers within households and communities.

The lecture also emphasised empowering young girls to recognise their responsibility as citizens contributing to a sustainable future. Speaking on the Foundation’s broader vision, President Sandeep Nulkar said the organisation’s work extends beyond financial independence. “Our goal is to create long-term change—enabling girls and families to break the cycle of poverty and grow into responsible citizens capable of building a sustainable future,” he said.

Through initiatives such as its annual meet, the EmpowerHER Foundation continues to equip girls with knowledge, awareness, and agency, fostering a generation committed to conscious living and environmental responsibility.

The event was attended by Treasurer Rushikesh Atre, Director of Mission Rupali Shinde-Agashe, Deputy Director of Mission Tanmayee Khire, along with members and well-wishers.