Summit begins on gender equality & disability rights

Bhubaneswar: A two-day Gender Equality and Disability Summit of Civil 20 (C20), one of the official engagement groups of G20, began here on Saturday where experts from across the country and abroad will deliberate on issues related to gender equality and disability rights.
“Gender equality and disability rights are critical issues and we need to work together to address them. To fully realise gender equality, we have to ensure that all women and girls have access to the same opportunity and rights as boys and men,” founder of KIIT and KISS Achyuta Samanta said.
He said that gender discrimination is deeply ingrained in our society. “We need a holistic approach that addresses aspects like education, healthcare and employment that affect the vulnerable and marginalised groups,” he said.
During the summit, more than 300 delegates from India and abroad will participate in the discussions and workshops and will provide policy recommendations which will be launched at the C20 Summit in July.
C20 chair Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) sent a video message for the summit where she said that though the world has made tremendous progress in last many decades, there is still a great reluctance and mental block in acknowledging equality for women.
“We should help children and women from marginalised groups escape their vulnerability and not let their hidden capabilities go waste. As women rise and move ahead, men should make way, even prepare the paths for them,” she said.
Bhavani Rao R, the India coordinator of C20 Working Group on Gender Equality and Disability, said that the group pushes the agenda of a harmonious world for all, including those with disabilities.
The C20 Working Group on Gender Equality and Disability is a forum for civil society organisations to come together, examine and address the different dimensions of inequalities and disadvantages experienced by all people, including those with disabilities.