Zubaida Bai on building bridges, dismantling gender barriers, and amplifying HER power
Out Of The CloudsShow Notes
Anne V Mühlethaler speaks with Zubaida Bai, President and CEO of Grameen Foundation, in this enlightening exchange. Zubaida is a social entrepreneur and women's health advocate, as well as the founder of ayzh, a social enterprise that designs vital hygiene and reproductive healthcare products to women and girls in resource-poor settings. Zubaida Bai is a distinguished social entrepreneur and women's health advocate with over 18 years of experience in the social impact space. As the founder of ayzh®, a pioneering social enterprise based in India, Zubaida has dedicated herself to designing vital healthcare products that enhance the well-being of women and girls throughout their reproductive journeys. Prior to her tenure at Grameen Foundation, Zubaida served as the managing director of social ventures at CARE, further solidifying her reputation as a transformative leader in the field of global health and development. Throughout her illustrious career, Zubaida has garnered numerous accolades for her visionary leadership and tireless commitment to social change. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a Maternal Health Champion by Ashoka, and a TED Fellow/Speaker, Zubaida's influence extends far beyond the realms of entrepreneurship and advocacy. She has been named a United Nations SDG 3 Pioneer by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), highlighting her instrumental role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, Zubaida serves as a Visiting Social Innovator with Harvard University's Social Innovative Change Initiative (SICI) and sits on the Governing Body at SEMA (Shaping Equitable Market Access) for Reproductive Health. Zubaida shares her remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming a trailblazer in the social sector. With unwavering dedication to empowering women and pioneering initiatives that address the unique needs of marginalised communities, Zubaida's insights offer invaluable lessons for listeners eager to make a positive difference in the world. Zubaida then delves into the genesis of the Clean Birth Kit and her work at ayzh. She tells Anne about her role at the Grameen Foundation as well, and emphasises the crucial importance of investing in women’s power by dismantling gender barriers, with the goal of ending poverty. She shares insights into fostering male champions, advocating for global support, and standing with the foundation’s founder, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, in his visionary quest to relegate poverty to the annals of history. Zubaida and Anne also explore the nuances of social entrepreneurship, empathy, imposter syndrome and the power of gratitude. From her pioneering work in designing products for underserved populations to her impassioned plea for global solidarity in the fight against poverty, Zubaida's wisdom resonates deeply with audiences seeking to effect meaningful change in their own spheres of influence. A moving interview with an inspirational leader. Happy listening! *** You can find out more about Zubaida and her work on her website: https://www.zubaidabai.com/ Discover the work of the Grameen Foundation here: https://grameenfoundation.org/ Donate to Grameen safely via this online link: https://grameenfoundation.org/take-action/donate Ayzh - https://www.ayzh.com/ A couple of Zubaida's favorite books: There is Nothing Micro about a Billion Women, by Mary Ellen Chup, by Deepa Narayan
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