India’s Women-Led Development agenda: Insights from the 2nd G20 EMPOWER Meeting
India’s year-long presidency has prioritized women’s economic empowerment as a vital aspect towards achieving inclusive, equitable, ambitious, and action-oriented growth. The second G20 EMPOWER meeting under India’s presidency was held on 4-6 April 2023 at Thiruvananthapuram to take forward the country’s women-led development agenda. This alliance of G20 business leaders and governments aims to accelerate women’s leadership and empowerment in the private sector.
The G20 EMPOWER 2023, being India’s presidency target, looks forward to advancing women’s entrepreneurship through mentoring and capacity building, market access and financing, role of STEM education and innovation for scaling up businesses, enabling leadership across all levels, including grassroots, strengthening women’s participation in scientific and non-traditional sectors of work, navigated in its 2nd EMPOWER meeting in Thiruvananthapuram.
The meeting theme was “Women’s Empowerment: A Win-Win for Equity and Economy.” Munjpara Mahendrabhai, Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, graced the occasion, and Dr. Sangita Reddy, chair of G20 EMPOWER 2023, was also present for the meeting.
Thematic Dialogue Points and Panel Discussions
The highlights of the dialogue included identifying the economic prosperity of empowering women and progress towards 25×25 Brisbane goals. Panel discussions were held on important issues, such as navigating corporate culture for women empowerment, investing in an enabling infrastructure to support the care economy, and enabling ‘School-to-Work’ transitions and career development opportunities. These discussions aimed to establish actions across G20 EMPOWER priorities’ key outcomes on points of consensus.
Exhibition by National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
The exhibition showcased women’s engagement in the cultivation and production of tea, coffee, spices and coir, work of women-led Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), and indigenous toys, handloom & handicrafts. It curated by the National Institute of Fashion Technology with digital features that provide a more immersive experience to the audience. It aimed to promote the work of women in different domains such as agriculture, handicrafts, and more.
Visit to Kerala Arts and Crafts Village (KACV)
Delegates were provided with an opportunity to interact with the crafts persons in a visit to Kerala Arts and Crafts Village (KACV). The village hosts indigenous artisans engaged in the production of handicrafts, kitchen products.
Cultural Programmes and Millet-Based Food
Cultural programmes were organized in the evenings that presented an engaging glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of India. Participants were offered traditional and millet-based Indian cuisine.
Expert Insights: Women’s Entrepreneurship and Empowerment
Dr. Sangita Reddy, one of the panelists, shared her perspective on investing in women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment. She stated that investing in women’s entrepreneurship could help support job creation, alleviate poverty, and promote inclusive growth. Investing in women’s empowerment could also support sustainable development goals; education, economic empowerment, and entrepreneurship could lead to development in other areas, such as health, agriculture, and energy.
Dr. Sangita Reddy also emphasized that the G20 EMPOWER meeting focused on female representation in STEM fields could help promote gender equality in the workplace. She highlighted the need to establish pro-women policies and incorporate gender-sensitive approaches in development programmes.
Conclusion
The G20 EMPOWER meeting was a significant step towards enhancing women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment in India. The meeting’s discussions on women’s representation in STEM fields, entrepreneurship, and corporate culture for women empowerment offer critical insights for advancing gender equality and inclusive growth at large. Women’s empowerment should not be viewed as a ‘box-ticking’ exercise but a driving force for sustainable development and growth.
