Comprehensive map for gender inclusion

Panaji: Harnessing the potential of women as leaders is critical for the global community and more needs to be done to increase their presence in leadership roles, said G20 delegates on Monday.
Women-led development is one of India’s key G20 priority areas, and the G20 Secretariat organised a conference in the state capital as a precursor to the 3rd Development Working Group (DWG) meeting, which commences on Tuesday.
“In today’s exceptionally challenging environment, gender equality and empowerment are key to achieving the vision that we all collectively have of leaving no one behind. Men have an equal role in facilitating gender inclusion,” said Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, joint secretary (G20), ministry of external affairs and of the co-chair development working group.
He said that without “heightened commitment” from the international community, gender equality will remain an unrealised goal.
“The increasing global pushback against women’s and girls’ rights and the decline in safety and security of girls continue to remain alarming,” said Kakanur.
In order to ensure gender equality, speakers stressed the need to redistribute unpaid care responsibilities, close the gender digital divide, increase the representation of women in STEM fields, ensure women’s economic empowerment and more representation in politics.
Speakers also pointed out that women bear the brunt of the climate crisis and thus their participation and leadership is vital in building climate resilience and resilient food systems. Panellists said that women’s priorities must be reflected in the planning, development, and funding of national and local level climate policies.