In a rare and prestigious honour, Varsha Deshpande — a grass roots crusader for women’s rights and gender justice — has joined the exalted ranks of Indira Gandhi and JRD Tata as a recipient of the United Nations Population Award, one of the world’s highest recognitions for contributions to population and reproductive health.
Deshpande, founder and secretary of Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal, becomes only the third Indian individual in history to receive this honour, following in the footsteps of India’s first woman Prime Minister (1983) and the legendary industrialist-philanthropist (1992). Now in its 40th year, the award celebrates Deshpande’s tireless work spanning over three decades, challenging gender-biased sex selection, empowering marginalised women, and advocating for reproductive rights.
A bold voice from the grassroots, Deshpande has transformed local activism into national impact, leading campaigns to curb gender-based violence, fight discrimination, and push for legal reforms. Her organisation, founded in 1990, has empowered Dalit and working-class women through vocational training, legal literacy, financial independence, and better access to state services.
Speaking after the announcement, an emotional Deshpande said, “This award is not a personal accolade, it’s a tribute to the tireless efforts of countless grassroots workers, community leaders, and women who dream of a just and equal world. I hope it renews focus on the issue of gender-biased sex selection and strengthens our collective resolve to value every girl.”
Under her leadership, the Dalit Mahila Vikas Mandal has pioneered efforts to end child marriage, improve rights for women in the informal sector, and promote joint property ownership for women. A fierce advocate for the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, Deshpande has been instrumental in its on-ground implementation and in sensitising the judiciary to its importance.
Andrea M Wojnar, UNFPA India representative and country director for Bhutan, praised Deshpande’s courage and determination, “Varsha’s unwavering commitment to ending discrimination—whether based on gender, caste, or religion, has helped countless women and girls live with dignity and purpose. Her work on the complex and often taboo issue of sex selection is both bold and transformative.”
With this honour, Deshpande joins an elite group of Indian trailblazers. The only previous institutional recipient from India is HelpAge India (2020). The UN Population Award, instituted in 1981 and first presented in 1983, includes a gold medal, diploma, and monetary prize. It is administered by a committee of UN Member States, with UNFPA as its secretariat.
