Mumbai: The Laadli Media & Advertising Awards for gender sensitivity 2024  will recognize 42 stellar contributions in the media, literature, cinema and advertising space across India and 14 journalists from seven South Asian nations on 9  October 2024. The event will happen at the Tata Theatre, NCPA, Mumbai, from 6 pm onwards.

The Laadli Media and Advertising Awards for gender sensitivity celebrate the media’s role in shaping perceptions towards gender, aiming for a fairer society. Apart from India, the fourth edition of the South Asia Awards covers Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan,  Bangladesh and Maldives.

These awards are an initiative of Population First, a Mumbai-based social impact organization that has been working for over two decades to promote gender sensitivity in media nationwide.  Following a successful collaboration over the past several years, the initiative is once again being supported by UNFPA. Our collaborating partners for this edition are South Asian Women in Media  (SAWM). We are also joined by NCPA, Madison Outdoor Media, Manifest and Social Samosa as our cause partners.

UNFPA  executive director Dr Natalia Kanem and renowned actor Ratna Pathak Shah will chair the evening.  

UNFPA India's representative Andrea Wojnar, reflected on the significance of the Laadli  Awards, stating, "Laadli, a form of endearment, is now a name that has grown to be recognised as a touchstone for gender sensitivity in media. Laadli has made media and communication  professionals retell their stories from a gender perspective and enabled them to challenge  discriminatory norms and stereotypes in their work."

The ex-CEO and current trustee of Population First, Dr A.L. Sharada shared, “These awards are an acknowledgement of the dedication and passion shown by the journalists and content creators in literature, advertising, films, and OTT platforms awarded at the (SALMAAGS). We  hope that such influential, ethical and sensitive journalism will continue in the face of the current  landscape driven by outside influence.”

Current director Yogesh Pawar said, " In my 30-year journalism stint I’ve seen a lot of exceptional work but what these awards aim to recognize and celebrate stands out. I feel proud to belong to a fraternity which includes the 10 exceptional awardees nationwide and the 14 South  Asian journalists.”  

The esteemed Laadli of the Century Award will be presented to Dr Armaity Desai and the Laadli  Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Bachi Karkaria. Hetall Dedhhia will receive the  Laadli Woman Behind the Screen Award, while Advocate Vrinda Grover will be honoured with the  Laadli Gender Champion Award.

The event will also confer special Laadli awards to mark UNFPA completing 50 years in India.  These awardees include Dr Harjant Gill for Gender and Masculinity, Nidhi Jamwal for Gender &  Climate Solutions, Sheilu Sreenivasan for Gender & Ageing, Paromita Vohra for Gender & Youth  Power Unleashed, Anita Gurumurthy for Gender & Technology, and Bishakha Datta for Bodily  Autonomy.

This year’s Film Awards for Gender Sensitivity will celebrate Kaathal - The Core, Laapataa Ladies,  and All We Imagine as Light. The web series Taali will also be recognised for its gender-sensitive narrative.

The event will also feature a special performance of Sufi Kalaam | Songs of women by Radhika  Sood Nayak, Neil Mukherjee, and Vinayak Netke, adding a captivating musical dimension.

The event promises to be a celebration of those who champion gender equality and drive meaningful change.