Indian-origin Dutch woman presented with US Award

WASHINGTON: An Indian-origin Dutch woman has been presented with the "World of Difference" award here in recognition of her non-governmental work in Delhi among destitute women.

Co-Founder of WORK+SHELTER, a Delhi-based NGO, Namita Krul-Taneja, was presented the award by Lisa Kaiser Hickey, president of The International Alliance For Women (TIAW) at a ceremony held here yesterday.

"This global award is recognition for any woman in this world who's advancing economic growth and women empowerment," said Taneja, who has set up her own business, New Yardsticks, which assesses and improves existing social-development programmes that help marginalised women and develops new programmes.

WORK+SHELTER provides fair-trade work for destitute women, some of whom also need a safe space to live.

The women get a safe environment, work, a steady income, regular health check-ups, literacy classes and, importantly, motivation and self-confidence.