Sulochana Suresh Pednekar
Goa University
sulochana@unigoa.ac.in
Dr. Sulochana Pednekar is an Assistant Professor and Programme Director of the Women’s Studies Programme at Goa University. With over 15 years of experience at organizations like Sangath, NSSO, TERI, AIIMS, and UNICEF, her research focuses on gender, health, and environmental issues, blending academic work with community advocacy. Her educational films on menstruation have gained international recognition, featuring at platforms such as the Women Deliver Conference. As an Ecofemme Brand Ambassador, she promotes sustainable menstrual products. Dr. Pednekar’s contributions have earned her multiple accolades, including the Zilla Mahila Samman (2015) and the Voice of Teachers Award (2024). She is also a Community Correspondent with Video Volunteers, producing impactful videos on grassroots issues. Her global recognition includes fellowships and conference invitations in countries like Uganda, the Philippines, and Australia, affirming her dedication to social change and sustainability.
1. Pednekar, S.; Desouza, S.; Mukhopadhyay, P. (2024), Monitoring WASH and school dropouts in India: Is there adequate data? An assessment of four national databases, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene for Development. NYP; 2024; NYP. https://doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2024.1952.
2.Pednekar, S.; Some, S.; Rivankar, K.; Thakore, R.(2022) Enabling factors for sustainable menstrual hygiene management practices: A rapid review Discover Sustainability. 3(1); 2022; ArticleID_28 (Springer 2022)
3.Patel V, Weiss H, Chowdhary N, Naik S, Pednekar S, Chatterjee S, Bhat B, Araya R, King M, Simon G, Verdeli H, Kirkwood BR. Lay health worker led intervention for depressive and anxiety disorders in India: impact on clinical and disability outcomes over 12 months. British Journal of Psychiatry 2011; 199: 459-466.
4.Patel V, Weiss HA, Chowdhary N, Naik S, Pednekar S, Chatterjee S, De Silva MJ, Bhat B, Araya R, King M, Simon G, Verdeli H, Kirkwood BR. Effectiveness of an intervention led by lay health counsellors for depressive and anxiety disorders in primary care in Goa, India (MANAS): a cluster randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2010: 376: 2086-2095.
5.Patel V, Pednekar S, Weiss H, Rodrigues M, Barros P, Nayak B, Tanksale V, West B, Nevrekar P, Kirkwood BR, Mabey D. Why do women complain of vaginal discharge? A population survey of infectious and pyschosocial risk factors in a South Asian community. International Journal of Epidemiology 2005; 34: 853-862.
Awarded with the Zilla Mahila Samman 2014 for North Goa District, Goa on 8th March 2015 on International Women's Day, by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India.
Award of Excellence in the field of teaching and social contribution given by JCI Porvorim on the eve of International Women’s Day 5th March 2017.
Voice of Teachers Award 2023 (2022-2023) presented by Goa University Teachers Association , Goa University on the occasion of 33rd Foundation Day on 16 January 2024
• Principal Investigator for the Project on Goa Water Stories funded by Living Waters Museum, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.