Tamil women recognised at Westminster awards ceremony

The International Women's Day Global Empowerment Awards returned to the UK Parliament for its twelfth consecutive year, bringing together elected representatives, community leaders, and professionals to recognise the achievements of women across a range of fields.

The event was hosted by Dame Nia Griffith MP, joined by Lord John Hannett and other parliamentary figures. It was organised jointly by UKWNET and Tamil Women International Network UK (TWINUK) under the leadership of Chairman Jacob Ravibalan and Vice Chairman Shailaja Jay. Subha Parameswaran, Vice President of TWINUK, played a central role in inviting and engaging distinguished guests, and the proceedings were anchored by Radhika Iyer.

Four awards were presented on the evening. Krishnaveni received the International Edutech Visionary and Social Impact Award for her contributions to education and innovation. 

Dr. Anjana Vivek was honoured with the Global Icon of Ayurvedic Leadership and Excellence Award for her leadership and impact in the field of Ayurveda. 

Dr. R. Vanitha Muthukumar received the Women's Healthcare and Visionary Award in recognition of her dedication to women's health. 

Subha Parameswaran was presented with the Professional Excellence in Banking and Community Impact Award, recognising her work in the financial sector alongside her contributions to empowering women through TWINUK.

A youth panel discussion, titled "Challenges Faced as Young Women in the Industry and How to Enter the Industry," formed a centrepiece of the evening. Led by Nivedha as panel head, the session offered practical guidance and perspectives for the next generation of women entering professional life.

TWINUK, founded by Subha Parameswaran, works to support Tamil and Indian women professionals across the United Kingdom, providing a network through which women can connect, develop skills, and build careers. The organisation's focus is on enabling women to become more confident in their identities, more empowered in their professional lives, and better guided in their ambitions.