Indian social worker Reema Nanavaty received the Hillary Rodham Clinton Award on 15 October 2026 at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security in Washington, D.C. Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton presented the award, which recognises leaders advancing women’s rights and working for peace and security worldwide. Nanavaty is the Director of the Self-Employed Women’s Association of India (SEWA).
Hillary Rodham Clinton Award
The award recognises individuals for efforts relating to women’s rights, peace and security. The 2026 recipients also included fashion designer Tory Burch, founder of the Tory Burch Foundation, and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank. Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security is based at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Hillary Clinton served as US Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013.
SEWA and informal-sector workers
SEWA is a trade union of women workers in India’s informal economy. It was founded in 1972 by Ela Bhatt and is headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Under Nanavaty’s leadership, SEWA has grown into India’s largest union of informal-sector workers. SEWA’s work supports women’s economic participation through women-owned enterprises and women-led supply chains. Its activities include energy, agriculture, food processing, waste recycling and textiles. Nanavaty has also led livelihood-rebuilding work for rural women affected by earthquakes and rehabilitation programmes in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
Livelihoods and food security
Nanavaty initiated SEWA’s food security programme, which covers one million households. She also leads the Hariyali Green Energy and Livelihoods Initiative. Her work includes strengthening women’s livelihoods, food security and access to renewable energy.
Important Facts for Exams
- SEWA was founded in 1972 by Ela Bhatt as a union of women workers in the informal economy.
- The Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award, after the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan.
- Reema Nanavaty received the Padma Shri in 2013.
- Muhammad Yunus founded Grameen Bank and shared the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize with the bank.
Padma Shri and other honours
The Government of India awarded Nanavaty the Padma Shri in 2013. The Padma Awards are announced annually and comprise the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
