Global Leaders Unite for Women’s Empowerment
On March 12, 2025, a Ministerial Roundtable co-hosted by the Government of India and UN Women took place at the UN Headquarters in New York, coinciding with the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The event focused on the vital role of digital and financial inclusion in empowering women and enhancing their leadership. By advocating for investments in education, health, and economic independence, the roundtable aimed to highlight how closing gender gaps can foster development and alleviate poverty.
Key Themes of the Roundtable
The Ministerial Roundtable served as a global platform for sharing experiences and strategies related to the 12 critical areas of concern outlined in the Beijing Platform for Action. It featured two main sessions: “Digital Public Infrastructure to Accelerate Women-Led Development” and “Financing Inclusion – Criticality of Core Resources.” Ministers and high-level representatives from G20 nations, including Australia, South Africa, and Indonesia, as well as Small Island Developing States like Panama, participated in the discussions. They exchanged best practices and explored how technology can be leveraged to promote women-led development. Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, emphasized the importance of balanced regulation in technology use, particularly in e-governance for social protection systems. She stated, “Digital Public Infrastructure should be a Bridge, not a Barrier,” echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s vision for inclusive growth.
Highlighting India’s Initiatives
During the first session, Smt. Annapurna Devi showcased India’s social protection measures that utilize digital public infrastructure (DPI). These initiatives include social assistance programs, disability support, and universal health coverage, specifically addressing women’s health needs. The Minister noted that nearly 38 million mothers benefit from maternity benefits, while over 100 million women, children, and adolescent girls are monitored through the POSHAN tracker for their nutritional and health needs. In the second session, the Minister discussed India’s commitment to financial inclusion, highlighting tailored policies that empower women entrepreneurs across various sectors, from street vendors to startups. She reiterated India’s support for nurturing women’s businesses from inception to growth, ensuring that they have access to the resources needed for success.
Global Participation and Impact
The roundtable featured prominent figures, including H.E. Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and H.E. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. They discussed the transformative impact of India’s foundational ID system, Aadhaar, on women’s empowerment. Ms. Bahous noted that digital financial inclusion initiatives, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), have significantly increased women’s employment and autonomy in India. Ministers from various countries, including Indonesia, Morocco, Australia, Panama, and Qatar, actively participated in the discussions, sharing their nations’ experiences and strategies for advancing women’s rights. The roundtable reinforced the global commitment to promoting women-led development and fostering collaboration among nations to achieve gender equality.
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