10th April 2025, New Delhi: Social impact NGO Sanmat, in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), hosted a Felicitation-cum-Certification Ceremony for 300 women from 18 blocks in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, trained under the Women Health Ambassadors (WoHA) initiative. Trained to serve as informed and reliable sources of health guidance, these women are poised to bridge critical information gaps for pregnant and lactating mothers, and to strengthen maternal and child health outcomes within their communities.
300 Women Health Ambassadors Felicitated by Social Impact NGO Sanmat, Hema Malini and IOCL for Stellar Work in Advancing Community Health.
Hema Malini, Member of Parliament (Mathura), was the Chief Guest at the ceremony.
The event was also graced by senior officials from IOCL’s Northern Region Pipelines, including Shailesh Tiwari, Executive Director & Regional Head; Sharad Agarwal, Chief General Manager (Technical); JK Rai, Chief General Manager (Operations); HS Rai, General Manager (Human Resources); Dharmendra Khanna, General Manager (Operations), Bijwasan; and BP Poddar, Deputy General Manager (Operations), Mathura.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Dhananjay Singh, Executive Director, Sanmat said, “In many parts of the country, essential health knowledge doesn’t always reach those who need it most. Misinformation can pass through families and friend circles, influencing decisions during pregnancy, childbirth, and early childcare. Through WoHA initiative, we work to shift that dynamic. We train women from within these very communities to become reliable health messengers; people who are both accessible and trusted. These ambassadors don’t replace formal healthcare systems but complement them by making information more relatable and actionable. The programme is designed to prepare women with stage-specific knowledge, covering everything from nutrition and mental wellbeing to safe delivery and breastfeeding. What makes it truly effective is that these are familiar faces bringing guidance to the doorsteps of other women. We’re proud to celebrate the journeys of these 300 ambassadors today and remain committed to expanding this network in the months ahead.”
The WoHA programme, developed by Sanmat, aims to strengthen peer education among women by offering reliable, stage-specific health information in areas where access is often limited or shaped by myths. By equipping women with practical
knowledge, the initiative seeks to shift community attitudes and improve health-related decisions made at the household level.
Ms. Hema Malini, Member of Parliament, Mathura said, “Today’s program ‘Sehat Saheli’ organized by Indian Oil Corporation was very special. This initiative has been dedicated to women empowerment and improving their nutritional level for years. This fund is being used to support Anganwadi and Asha workers. In today’s program, women doing excellent work in Mathura like Anganwadi and Asha workers and village heads were also honored. Today’s program was in line with my concept ‘Healthy woman, healthy family’. ”
The event marked a significant step in recognising grassroots leaders in maternal and child health, reinforcing the shared commitment of Sanmat and IOCL to build healthier communities through informed, women-led action. Through the WoHA initiative, across UP and other states, Sanmat has so far empowered 18,000+ women, and by extension, their children and families.
About Sanmat:
Sanmat is a committed NGO in India, empowering marginalized communities through sustainable initiatives in health, education, livelihood and climate action. Since 2007, it has impacted over 23 million lives across six states in India. Sanmat leads transformative programs, including the skill development projects, residential schools for Scheduled Tribe children and Tribal Welfare Hospitals in rural areas. With 13 offices, 637 professionals, and 32,500 volunteers, Sanmat remains dedicated to developing effective execution models to bridge policy implementation and governance gaps, driving meaningful change at the grassroots level.
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