New Delhi: NITI Aayog organized a workshop centered on the theme of “Nari Shakti: Towards Women-led Development” on November 8, 2023, at Park Hotel, New Delhi. This workshop marked the eighth installment in a series of G20 Feeder Thematic Workshops, each aligned with the ten themes outlined in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD). The Institute of What Works to Advance Gender Equality (IWWAGE) served as the knowledge partner for this event.
The objective of this workshop was to bring together a diverse range of perspectives, including experts, entrepreneurs, innovators, academia, think-tank representatives, and government officials working on gender equality and empowerment. They aimed to chart a path forward and identify the necessary resources to accomplish the objectives set forth in the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
The workshop was structured into four segments, each focusing on specific action points and strategies required to implement the vision articulated in the NDLD:
1. Women in the Economy: Enhancing Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment:
This segment underscored the critical importance of women’s economic and social empowerment in creating inclusive and thriving societies. It delved into various pathways to increase women’s meaningful participation in the workforce, examined the roles of the government and private sector in achieving this goal, and discussed the necessary resources to facilitate women’s entry into the workforce.
2. Women’s Collectives: Strengthening SHGs, Women-led FPOs, and Rural Women’s Leadership Abilities:
Recognizing the vital role of women collectives, such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), in securing employment, financial autonomy, decision-making capabilities, and leadership skills, this segment explored strategies to elevate these groups to higher levels of economic empowerment and expand their influence in urban areas.
3. Women and the Future of Work: Bridging Digital and Skilling Gaps for Access to Jobs and Strengthening Women’s Entrepreneurship:
Focusing on women’s access to digital and financial services as catalysts for labor force participation, this segment addressed future work trends, strategies to enhance women’s access to essential skills, bridge gender skill gaps, and promote women’s entrepreneurship.
4. Legal Safeguards for the Empowerment of Women:
This segment delved into the role of legal frameworks in providing women access to justice and empowering them to set norms for their own advancement. It explored strategies to fortify legal safeguards, creating secure spaces for women’s safety and empowerment.
This workshop provided an invaluable opportunity for industry leaders, academics, experts, and civil society representatives to collaborate and devise a comprehensive roadmap for achieving gender equality and empowerment.
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