Davos, Switzerland, January 21, 2024: At the prestigious World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, India took a significant step forward in its commitment to gender equity and equality. The Indian delegation, led by Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Women & Child Development and Minority Affairs, announced the launch of the “Global Good Alliance for Gender Equity and Equality.” This initiative, endorsed by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Government of India, is a testament to India's global leadership in women-led development.
The Alliance, emerging from the G20 Leaders’ Declaration and inspired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of women-led development, aims to consolidate global best practices and foster investments in critical areas like women’s health, education, and entrepreneurship. This collaborative effort is set to advance the G20 commitments for the larger global community, integrating initiatives from Business 20, Women 20, and G20 EMPOWER.
During the launch, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani emphasized the role of industry, enterprise, and humanity in forming this grand Alliance. She highlighted India's inclusive growth story, which has been recognized and lauded by the WEF. The Alliance has already secured backing from prominent industry leaders, including Mastercard, Uber, Tata, TVS, Bayer, Godrej, Serum Institute of India, IMD Lausanne, and over 10,000 partners from the industry.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supports the alliance, which will be housed and anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership. The World Economic Forum joins as a 'Network Partner', and Invest India as an 'Institutional Partner', marking a significant collaboration of global stakeholders.
In alignment with India's philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' – and its commitment to “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas”, the Alliance is set to be a formidable force in addressing gender-related issues globally.
At this year's WEF, a unique addition was the “We Lead” lounge, the first-ever women leadership lounge organized by CII and BMGF. This lounge hosted various panel discussions, meetings, and showcased products by women entrepreneurs, fostering conversations on women-led development and economic participation.
Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani actively participated in multiple WEF sessions, focusing on government policies and initiatives regarding gender equality and women-led development. Her bilateral meetings with global leaders further strengthened discussions on potential collaborations and shared interests in sustainable development.
This year's WEF marked a pivotal moment for India, with its strong stance on gender equity and equality gaining global recognition and support, reinforcing its leadership in fostering a gender-inclusive future.
