History has been created in New Zealand as, for the first time in 43 years, women have taken over the largest Sikh body in NZ, the Supreme Sikh Society of NZ (SSSNZ). All top leadership posts in SSSNZ, including President of the Supreme Sikh Society of NZ, Sports Complex, Punjabi School, and Childcare Centre, went to ladies.
Five hundred fifty members of the Supreme Sikh Society of NZ (SSSNZ), the largest Sikh Body in NZ, established in 1978, unanimously made decisions on the proposal brought by SSSNZ’s spokesperson Daljit Singh at SSSNZ’s 44th Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 14th August 2022.
Talking to Indian Weekender, Singh said, “We as Sikhs have always believed in giving equal rights to our women but unfortunately never elected ladies in the top posts such as President, Vice President and Secretary of SSSNZ. There is no denying that they have been contributing to our society since 1978 and have played a major role in selfless service.
“Therefore, we wanted to acknowledge the same, and that's why all present members agreed to elect all women to top positions for the next two years. We want to acknowledge and encourage our ladies. All present members strongly supported the move and raised their hands to pass unanimously.”
Interestingly, the Supreme Sikh Society has the honour of becoming the first Sikh organisation in the world to give the command to women.
It is worth mentioning here that 560 financial members of the Supreme Sikh Society and 81 Board of Trustees made this decision unanimously.
While Jasvir Kaur was named the society's President, Kuldeep Kaur was elected as the Vice President and Harvinder Kaur as Secretary for SSSNZ.
For the Sikh Heritage Punjabi school, Mandeep Kaur Minhas was elected for the post of President and Kuljit Kaur as chairperson.
“It is a big milestone in NZ Sikh history to elect all women in main roles. I feel very proud and privileged to be a part of this society and lead the role of President of Sikh Heritage School. I am highly thankful to all Supreme Sikh Society team members for acknowledging women’s power and knowledge in our community and looking forward to their support in the future,” says Minhas.
While Dilraj Kaur was elected as the President, Jaanveer Kaur was selected as the Secretary and Chandan Deep Kaur as Treasurer of the New Zealand Sikh Sports Complex in Takanini.
Lastly, for the Childz Choice Trust, Kanwalpreet Kaur Pannu got elected as the President and Sarabjeet Kaur as the Treasurer.
SSSNZ also elected Arvinder Kaur, a Tongan girl married to Sikh, as its Events Manager.