Secretary Clinton visits Gujarat projects supported by Clinton Global Initiative

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The Navsari, Gujarat-based  Desai Foundation  Trust  (DFT), an NGO with the mission of empowering women and children through community programming to elevate health, livelihood, and menstrual equity in rural India welcomed former United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on 7 Feb 2023.

Secretary Clinton has made multiple visits to India and is well-known for her longtime dedication to uplifting the lives of women and girls and supporting inclusive economic development in India, DFT said in a press release.

The Secretary’s visit to India included a visit to Ela Bhatt’s SEWA 50th Anniversary celebration, a meeting of fellow Clinton Global Initiative Commitment Makers, and a visit to Desai Foundation’s partner, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)–Gandhinagar to speak to the students, and a visit to the Dandi salt pans.

Clinton’s visit was intended to support Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitments to Action that seek to provide employment opportunities and critical health care services to girls and women, while also providing critical support for climate resilience in the region. These Commitments were made by members of the CGI community at the CGI 2022 Meeting, which resulted in 144 new Commitments to Action addressing climate resilience, global health equity, inclusive economic growth, the global refugee crisis, and other critical global challenges, the press release said.

Secretary Clinton’s tour began in Palaj village in the Gandhinagar District of Gujarat. She first met the Desai Foundation’s Heroes for Humanity Heroes. Forty Heroes from 8 States shared stories of how the initiative impacted their lives and how they impacted the lives of millions.

“I am so proud that I have had the chance to meet all of you and hear some of your stories. It is so impressive that the Desai foundation understood the importance of finding local people like all of you to do this important work,” Clinton is quoted saying to the Heroes, in the press release. “I am so impressed by the model of this program, and so delighted to hear about all the things you are doing as Heroes for Humanity. And hope that you are not only learning so much, and growing personally, but understanding what an impact you are all having on your families and your communities. So thank you very much.”

The Secretary also visited the Desai Foundation’s flagship Asani Sanitary Napkin Program by observing one of the rural Menstrual Health & Hygiene awareness sessions and engaging with the Asani Rural Saleswomen.