The formal induction of SECMOL’s first cohort of young women in the Women Leadership programme was held on March 6 at SECMOL Campus Leh.

Founder SECMOL, Sonam Wangchuk stated that women's role and rights in Ladakh is good compared to the rest other parts of the country but when it comes to policy and decision making, women in Ladakh are lacking behind. Citing the example of Hill Council, he said that since inception there were no elected women representatives. He stressed the importance of understanding the loophole which is blocking the way of women to lead specially in politics.

Sonam Wangchuk donated ₹ 1 crore (earned from his corporate engagement with an Ed Tech Co) to carry out women empowerment initiatives in Leh and Kargil.

Briefing about the Women Leadership Programme, Mentor, Tsering Nordon said that the programme is going on in collaboration with Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, Leh to groom and shape women for their active participation in politics. It will be a three years programme which will be carried out with their academic year simultaneously. The first two years will be more about learning and understanding culture, history, the tradition of not just about Ladakh but about the rest of the world and in the 3rd year, practical application will be taught. 

A panel was formed to scrutinize the form filled by the students of EJM College and selected 10 girls for the programme by the experts. The selected 10 young girls for Women Leadership Programme namely, Zakiya Bano from Staktsekhang, Chiktan; Stanzin Chotso from Zanskar; Skarma Angmo from Nubra; Padma Lamo from Zanskar; Angmo Sherpa from Nepal; Zomskit Dolma from Gya; Rigzin Angmo from Kukshow; Sonam Angmo from Wakha; Stanzin Youtso from Zanskar, Phey and Sonam Angmo from Nubra shared their experiences and interest to serve the society.

“The idea is to empower, encourage and engage a woman in such a way so that she can bring forward more into the field and the chain of such women will bring change”, Nordon added. 

Former MP, Thupstan Chhewang presently serving as President, LBA welcomed the initiative and said that in the years Ladakh will see more women leaders in every field. 

Rinchen Lhamo, Member, National Commission for Minorities expressed gratitude to team SECMOL lead by Sonam Wangchuk, Ramon Magsaysay awardee for coming up with 
such great initiative.

She also shared her experiences and encourages women to be bold and vocal in every field. 

Geetanjali, CEO of, Himalayan Institute of Alternative Learning said, “Past was the rule of mind, age of rationalization and masculine approach where we have seen wars, exploitation etc. Now we are moving towards the age of the future which is the spiritual age, the rule of the heart where women can play a very important role because the dominion approach will be replaced by empathy and enabling others to grow. Future leadership is different and the feminine power of the country must come forward.”

In recognition of the outstanding leadership skills, women from different walks of life were honoured and felicitated.

Konchok Angmo, Director, University of Ladakh; Thinles Angmo, Advocate; Yangchan Dolma (Ama Chocho); Dr. Yangchna Dolma, Nominated Councillor for women, Hill Council, Leh, Advocate Eshey Lamo; Rinchen Dolkar, State President, BJP Mahila Morcha and many other women also spoke on the occasion.