Washington, DC: Former Union Minister Smriti Irani addressed World Bank leaders and discussed about the importance of expanding gender equity in India and throughout the Global South. The event was held on Monday in Washington DC.
“In order to expand our global competitiveness, leaders of government and commerce throughout the Global South must ensure that gender equity policies are fully implemented,” Smriti Irani said.
‘Need to get policy right’
She added, “Education, healthcare, childcare, and housing policies disproportionately impact women – especially in developing and growing economies like ours. It is critical that we get the policy right so that women and girls can help lead government and industry, while also fulfilling their personal potential.”
Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality is a privately funded, Indian based, non-governmental organization (NGO) working to empower women across the globe achieve their economic potential.
In February this year, Smriti Irani, who was then Union Minister of Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs, launched the logo and the website for the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality. Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, and other dignitaries were present during the launch.
A pleasure to engage with the Executive Directors of the @WorldBank in Washington DC.
Over the past decade, India has made remarkable strides in Women-led Development under PM @narendramodi‘s leadership. As the World Bank prepares to unveil its Gender Strategy 2024-2030, India… pic.twitter.com/zkIgEUzoiG
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) September 17, 2024
Engaging both political and corporate leadership
While addressing the World Bank leaders, Smriti Irani spoke directly about the issues of gender parity in the Global South and to the importance of engaging both political and corporate leadership. The former minister specifically mentioned India’s work to advance education policy, expand programs investing in women-led enterprises and shift cultural mindsets towards women as issues core to gender equity.
“Our region of the world is growing in terms of population, economic output, and global influence, so it is incumbent upon us – as leaders – to have the foresight, will, and commitment to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to meet her or his potential,” Irani said during her address.
The former minister will continue to meet with government and business leaders in Washington over the next several days to discuss her priorities for gender equity.
