ABOUT THE MILLENNIUM FELLOWSHIP - CLASS OF 2024
United Nations Academic Impact and MCN are proud to partner on the Millennium Fellowship. This year, 52,000+ young leaders applied to join the Class of 2024 on 6,000+ campuses across 170 nations. 280+ campuses worldwide (just 5%) were selected to host the 4,000+ Millennium Fellows.
UNITED NATIONS ACADEMIC IMPACT AND MCN PROUDLY PRESENT VIDUSHI SHANKER, A MILLENNIUM FELLOW FOR THE CLASS OF 2024.
University of Delhi South Campus | New Delhi, India | Advancing SDG 3, SDG 5 & UNAI 1
" "I am driven by the vision of a world where every woman has equal access to quality healthcare and nutrition. Growing up with doctor parents, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of proper medical care. However, I've also seen the stark disparities that exist, particularly for women in India. As a Millennium Fellow, I'm excited to channel my interdisciplinary knowledge and passion into creating innovative solutions that bridge this gap. I believe that by empowering women with better health resources, we can unlock immense potential and drive societal progress. My work is not just about healthcare; it's about creating a more equitable future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive." "
Millennium Fellowship Project: Project Aarogya
Project Aarogya is dedicated to improving maternal and child health by addressing nutritional deficiencies among pregnant women and new mothers in underprivileged rural communities in India.
Problem Statement:
Many women in rural India suffer from severe nutritional deficiencies, including anemia and a lack of essential nutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamins. Despite food availability, a lack of awareness and education about proper nutrition during pregnancy leads to adverse health outcomes for both mothers and children.
Approach:
Project Aarogya employs an innovative and participatory approach to tackle this issue. Key activities include:
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Kits:
Developing user-friendly kits with tools such as games, charts, drama, and mapping to educate and engage communities.
Encouraging behavioral changes through interactive and culturally relevant methods.
Community Engagement:
Partnering with local NGOs and government schemes, including the Aanganwadi program, to extend the project's reach.
Conducting workshops and interactive sessions tailored to the needs of pregnant women and new mothers.
Advocacy and Policy Interaction:
Engaging with local political representatives to advocate for the effective implementation of government nutrition programs.
Pre- and Post-Assessments:
Evaluating the project's impact by measuring nutritional knowledge and behavior changes among participants.
Key Goals:
Create and refine PRA kits based on pilot feedback.
Partner with at least 5 NGOs/government bodies to reach 5 communities.
Educate and empower at least 1,000 individuals, promoting healthier dietary behaviors.
Achieve a 30% improvement in nutritional knowledge and dietary habits among participants.
Expected Outcomes:
Increased awareness about nutritional needs during pregnancy.
Reduction in anemia rates and improved maternal health.
Sustainable behavior change in dietary practices.
Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Project Aarogya aligns with:
SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Promoting maternal and child health through nutrition education.
SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Empowering women with knowledge to make informed health choices.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Addressing disparities in health outcomes for underprivileged communities.
By fostering collaboration, leveraging community trust, and utilizing innovative tools, Project Aarogya aims to create lasting social impact, transforming maternal health outcomes in rural India.
About the Millennium Fellow
Vidushi Shanker is a passionate and multifaceted second-year student at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi, pursuing a degree in Psychology and Economics. Born and raised in Jharkhand, India, Vidushi's upbringing as the daughter of doctors instilled in her a profound sense of social responsibility. Her insatiable curiosity and drive for innovation have led her to explore diverse fields, including social entrepreneurship, marketing, impact consulting, and public policy.
Inspired by her mother's medical practice, Vidushi has developed a particular commitment to addressing the nutrition and healthcare gap for women in India. This focus stems from her firsthand observations of women's health issues and a deep-seated desire to effect meaningful change. Vidushi's academic pursuits and extracurricular endeavors are united by her core belief in the transformative power of impact-driven initiatives.
As she continues to broaden her horizons and acquire new skills, Vidushi remains dedicated to leveraging her interdisciplinary knowledge to create innovative solutions for pressing social issues. Her ultimate goal is to contribute significantly to closing the gender disparity in healthcare access and nutrition in India, embodying the spirit of social entrepreneurship that she has cultivated throughout her young but promising career.
