KK Shailaja named among Financial Times' 2020's most inspiring women

Kerala Health Minister K.K. Shailaja’s calm and swift handling of the COVID-19 situation, when it first hit the state, has gone down in history, earning her international recognition, including from the United Nations.

She has now been included on Financial Times’ list of ’12 most influential women of 2020.’ Her name appears along with other luminaries, including, the late US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, singer Taylor Swift, among others.

KK Shailaja was nominated by an Financial Times reader called ‘LondonReader.’ The reader used the epithet ‘Coronavirus Slayer’ — given by The Guardian in their cover story about the Health Minister — while nominating Shailaja. “I nominate Kerala’s coronavirus slayer and rock-star health minister for remarkable health outcomes,” LondonReader said.

Also read: Beyond ‘Kerala model’, there is a lot to learn from Shailaja Teacher

“Throughout this difficult year, women have emerged more prominently than ever on the world stage as politicians and scientists, activists and authors. Over the next few days, we celebrate those who have put their stamp on 2020,” the story, published as part of FT Magazine series reads.

Also read: US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsburg dies at 87

KK Shailaja received accolades for her skilful handling of the pandemic. In June, this year, she was invited as a panellist at the United Nations Public Service Day. She was not only written about in The Guardian cover story but was also described by UK’s Prospect Magazine as ‘top thinker’ of the COVID-19