India Advocates Gender Equality at 69th UN CSW Session

Union Minister Annpurna Devi led India at the UN's 69th Commission on the Status of Women, emphasizing the nation's progress on gender equality. Her speech focused on transformative initiatives enhancing women's and children's welfare. The session included bilateral meetings to further global cooperation on women's empowerment.

A high-level delegation from the Government of India, headed by Union Minister Annpurna Devi, took center stage at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This important assembly began on March 10 as confirmed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Devi spotlighted India's advances in gender equality, addressing 12 focal concern areas through a comprehensive 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach aimed at empowering women nationwide. Flagship initiatives have notably enhanced health, nutrition, education, and economic opportunities for women and children.

The Union Minister reiterated India's steadfast dedication at the Ministerial Round Table, prioritizing mechanisms for gender equality and empowerment in alignment with the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals. Emphasizing outreach enhancement, Devi underscored the government's commitment to ensuring rights and benefits for every woman and girl.

She remarked, "The welfare of women and children is central to our nation's advancement. Through a multi-faceted strategy, we aim for a future where every woman is empowered and every child is nurtured safely." The CSW session saw wide-ranging participation from UN member states, NGOs, academia, and more.

During the event, Devi held bilateral discussions with global leaders to bolster cooperation on gender and social welfare. Held by the Commission for Women, this major UN ECOSOC function is dedicated solely to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, running from March 10 to 21.

(With inputs from agencies.)