India’s G20 Presidency: Third Development Working Group (DWG) Meeting

An exhibition showcasing India’s women-led initiatives, titled “ECHO” – Economy with safe climate and health leads to greater opportunities was organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs on the sidelines of the 3rd G20 Development Working Group Meeting at Goa. The theme “Echo – reflects the impact of women-led development and its significant role in sustainable development.

Curated by the National Institute of Fashion Technology, the exhibition cast a spotlight on the importance of women’s leadership and how “women-led development” is the cornerstone of a gender-just and sustainable future. The exhibition reflects the impact of women’s critical and indispensable role in global economic growth and in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG5.

Products conceived, designed, and made by women entrepreneurs, such as handloom and textile items; handicrafts; tea, spices, ayurvedic products, and millet-based food products were displayed at the exhibition. Other highlights of the event included an immersive digital experience with 3D holograms of women making toys, weaving, working with technology, etc.; live demonstration by artisans; a tasting zone; and prakruti check by ayurvedic doctors.

Women representatives of different states of India, the National Skill Development Corporation, Ministry of Textiles, APEDA, Tea Board, Spice Board, Ambi Udyogini Prathisthan, Eunnati Foundation, Kalyashastra, women self-help groups, and women-led start-ups and enterprises—such as Sea6, Jal Sakhi, and Digital Sakhi—participated in the exhibition.