bahrainthismonth.com | AUGUST 2025 INDIA IN BAHRAIN 62 Empowering Indian Women Since her election as President of the ILA in March 2025, Ms. Jensen has brought fresh energy to the organisation’s rich legacy. With a passion for community service and empowerment, she is determined to amplify the role of Indian women in Bahrain while championing inclusion and support for children with special needs. Carrying Forward a Legacy “As a relatively new member of the ILA, I am truly awestruck by its remarkable 69-year history of dedicated service,” she says. “ILA stands as a unique beacon in the GCC, being the only ladies’ association with a clear vision focused on uplifting children with special needs through our flagship project, Sneha.” This legacy inspired Ms. Jensen to take on a leadership role. While Sneha remains a cornerstone, she is equally passionate about expanding ILA’s reach across women’s empowerment, family support and youth engagement. Initiatives with Impact In her first few months, Ms. Jensen launched several high-impact programmes. One of the most moving was an event featuring India’s first Down syndrome actor, Gopikrishna Varma, and his mother: “Her story was one of resilience and determination … she spoke of the transformative power of music therapy, a message that resonated deeply with many parents of special needs children in our audience.” She also revitalised the Leela Jashanmal Talk series, welcoming figures such as Dr. Arunima Sinha, the first amputee woman to scale Everest, and Bahraini para-athlete Shaikha Shahiba. A youth wing, VibeTribe, was also launched, with over 45 children involved in community service like beach clean-ups and visits to labour camps. Connecting and Supporting Women Beyond cultural events, ILA continues to host seminars and sessions focused on leadership, financial literacy and emotional wellness for women across different social strata. “We have programmes tailored for special groups, including maids and economically disadvantaged women,” she explains. Even labour camp visits have been transformed into family events that encourage interaction and engagement. Ms. Jensen says: “ILA serves as a space where our members who are successful entrepreneurs and individuals with extraordinary skills can come together, share ideas and forge connections.” Overcoming Challenges Running Sneha and expanding programming comes with its difficulties. “One of the main challenges this year has been financial; specifically, starting from scratch to collect funds,” she notes, adding that corporate sponsorship has become increasingly difficult to secure. Membership growth has also been a focus, and Ms. Jensen is proud of the team’s efforts: “Our team’s dedicated work to deliver results has led to a significant increase in membership this year.” Partnerships and Vision Strategic partnerships have helped sustain momentum. Al Moayyed Motors and Lulu Group are among the ILA’s key supporters, and the Association is exploring collaboration with the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. Looking ahead, Ms. Jensen says: “My top priorities are to highlight the strength and independence of Indian women in Bahrain. I also aim to address educational and psychological needs of special needs children and their parents. “I envision the ILA evolving into a robust organisation that embodies empowerment and support for women in every aspect of their lives. I hope our efforts will resonate throughout the community, showcasing our commitment to empowerment and social change.” Indian Ladies Association President Smitha Jensen shares her mission, milestones and the legacy she hopes to build as she leads the ILA into its 70th year.
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