The G20 summit in India, which is set to take place between September 9 to 10, has shone a spotlight on the transformative power of women-led development. India, as the host nation, has made it abundantly clear that women's active participation and leadership are not just about empowerment but also about fostering inclusive socio-economic development. Here are some highlights so far of women-led development themes at the G20 summit in India, where a paradigm shift from empowerment to leadership is redefining the global agenda.
A Paradigm Shift: Women-Led Development
Women-led development has been abundantly highlighted as a prioritised theme for the summit. At the heart of the G20 summit in India lies the idea that women's participation in leadership positions is crucial for the rapid and inclusive development of nations. By promoting equal access, ownership, and decision-making roles for women, societies can not only improve the lives of women themselves but also enhance the well-being of their families, communities, and entire nations.
India's Leadership on Women-Led Development
Under India's presidency, the G20 summit in India has given paramount importance to the concept of women-led development. This visionary approach goes beyond conventional women's empowerment to recognise women as the driving force behind economic and social progress.
The G20 Ministerial Conference on Women's Empowerment held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from August 2-4, 2023, was a pivotal moment in India's pursuit of women-led development. The conference brought together Women and Gender Equality Ministers from G20 and guest countries, facilitating dialogue and consensus-building on a global scale.
India's presidency facilitated seven in-person conferences and 86 international meetings, both in-person and virtual, with over 300 delegates from 18 G20 countries and seven guest countries. The inclusive approach allowed for comprehensive discussions on key issues related to women-led development.
Key Initiatives and Partnerships
With women-led development as its guiding principle, India's G20 presidency outlined tailored solutions across various sectors, including education, entrepreneurship, technology, and finance. The summit also witnessed the strengthening of partnerships, a shift in mindsets, and the transformation of policies through cooperation and consensus.
WEPmentor: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
One of the standout initiatives unveiled during the G20 Summit is the WEPmentor platform, a collaboration between G20 EMPOWER (G20 Alliance for the Empowerment and Progression of Women's Economic Representation) and the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP). This digital platform aims to boost global mentorship for women entrepreneurs.
WEPmentor offers four distinct mentorship programs for women entrepreneurs including personalised mentoring sessions, organisation-led mentorship, skill-specific workshops and peer-to-peer (P2P) initiatives.
Addressing Climate Change Resilience
W20, the official G20 engagement group dedicated to gender equity, aims to integrate gender perspectives into G20 discussions and subsequently translate them into policies and commitments that promote gender equality and women's economic empowerment as part of the G20 Leaders' Declaration. The W20 engagement group within the G20 placed a particular emphasis on the role of women in climate change resilience. A "first responders' framework" was developed to address this crucial aspect.
Best Practices Playbook for G20 EMPOWER
Under India's presidency, 149 model initiatives from 19 G20 countries have been included in the Best Practices Playbook for G20 EMPOWER. This signifies a significant step towards recognizing the role of women in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and their contributions to economic growth and development.
Indian Women at G20
Delhi Police's Women Commandos: Ensuring Security
In preparation for the G20 Summit, the Delhi Police had already taken remarkable steps to enhance security. Among these measures is the training of 19 women SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) commandos to serve as frontline sharpshooters during the event. This first batch of commandos received specialized training in shooting from a trained Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team. These highly trained commandos will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of visiting delegates to the G20 Summit.
Millet Farming: A Sustainable Agricultural Revolution
As leaders from across the world are set to gather for the G20 Summit in India, the event also provides a platform for women like Raimati Ghiuria and Subasa Mohanta to share their inspiring stories of agricultural innovation. Both women hail from tribal communities in Odisha and have made significant strides in millet farming, an often-overlooked but highly sustainable agricultural practice. 20 other women millet farmers from various Indian states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh etc. will also be a part of the event and share their experience in millet cultivation and revolutionising the same.
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The G20 Summit in India not only prioritizes women's leadership but also showcases innovative initiatives that empower women across various sectors. WEPmentor's mentorship programs, Delhi Police's women commandos, and the success stories of millet farmers like Raimati Ghiuria and Subasa Mohanta all underscore the central role women play in driving positive change in society.