More than 150 delegates representing G20 members, invitee countries, and International Organisations (IOs), will participate in the three-day Ministerial Conference on Women’s Empowerment, under the G20 Indian Presidency, in Gujarat's Gandhinagar city from Aug 2 to Aug 4.
The event will be chaired by Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani.
The Ministerial Conference on Women’s Empowerment takes place amidst global challenges ranging from insufficient progress towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to challenges posed by climate change and uneven pandemic recovery.
"The G20 Ministerial Conference while focusing on women-led development will be an opportunity for accelerating achievement towards Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and achieving SDG: Goal 5," read a statement issued by the government on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a special video address at the start of the Ministerial Conference.
The discussions and deliberations during these three days will focus on priority areas on Education, a Game-changing Pathway to Women’s Empowerment; Women’s Entrepreneurship, a Win-win for Equity and Economy; Creating a Partnership for Promoting Women’s Leadership at all Levels including at Grassroots; Women and Girls as Change-makers in Climate Resilience Action and Digital Skilling for Women’s Empowerment.
The thematic discussions and deliberations in these sessions will reflect in the Chair’s Summary and will be provided as recommendations to G20 leaders.
Moreover, Asian Development Bank (ADB), UN Women and NIPCCD will jointly organise a side event with support from the Ministry of Minister of Women and Child Development to identify the actions and policy levers in three keys areas- fiscal policies and tools for gender equality, the care economy, and climate change challenge to accelerate gender equality.
On August 2 and August 3, the ministry will be organising an exhibition on the theme of ‘India @ 75: Contribution of Women’ with focus on Women in Crafts, Nutrition & Food, Health, STEM, Education & Skilling and in Trade & Economy.
Cultural programmes, including programmes by ‘Shillong Chamber Choir’, ‘Drums of India’ besides musical and dance performances showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India and a performance by Children from Bal Bhavan, will be organised for the participating Ministers and their delegations.
Further, local cuisine and millet-based food will be served during the event to celebrate the International Year of Millets, which was proposed by the Government of India.
Excursions have also been planned to provide the delegates with an opportunity to enjoy the vibrant historical heritage of Gujarat.
MCWE under India’s Presidency, while building on the work done by previous G20 presidencies, will take forward its mandate of enhancing G20's contribution to accelerate progress towards women’s empowerment and strengthen G20 efforts in fostering women-led development.