India Hosts First BRICS Women’s Working Group Preparatory Meeting Under Its Presidency

Opening the session, Ms. Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, MWCD, welcomed delegates and outlined India’s vision for a forward-looking, action-oriented engagement.

In a significant step toward shaping a collaborative global agenda for women's empowerment, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) convened the first Preparatory Meeting of the BRICS Women's Working Group in virtual mode under India's BRICS Presidency.

The meeting brought together representatives from all BRICS member nations, alongside key stakeholders from various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India, as well as international and institutional partners including UN Women and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

India Sets the Tone with Vision of Resilience and Inclusive Growth

Opening the session, Ms. Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, MWCD, welcomed delegates and outlined India's vision for a forward-looking, action-oriented engagement.

The discussions were guided by the overarching theme of India's BRICS chairship:"Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability."

This theme reflects India's broader development philosophy, positioning women at the centre of economic, social, and governance transformation.

Four Strategic Pillars for Women's Empowerment

The deliberations focused on four key priority areas, reflecting shared global challenges and opportunities:

• Women in Governance and Leadership — Enhancing representation and decision-making roles

• Financial and Digital Inclusion — Expanding access to banking, credit, and digital ecosystems

• Women's Entrepreneurship and Skill Development — Promoting enterprise growth and employability

• Women in Climate Action, Food Security, and Nutrition — Recognizing women's critical role in sustainable development

These pillars are expected to form the foundation of BRICS cooperation on gender issues, with a focus on scalable, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.

Reinforcing Women-Led Development as a Global Priority

The meeting reaffirmed India's strong commitment to women-led development, a paradigm that goes beyond welfare to position women as:

• Drivers of economic growth

• Leaders in governance and policymaking

• Catalysts for social transformation

Officials highlighted that empowering women across sectors is essential for achieving inclusive and resilient global development.

Strong Support from BRICS Nations

Member countries welcomed India's leadership and endorsed the identified priority areas, reflecting a shared commitment to:

• Collaborative policymaking

• Knowledge exchange and best practices

• Mutual learning across diverse socio-economic contexts

The discussions demonstrated a strong spirit of cooperation and collective progress, central to the BRICS framework.

Roadmap Toward High-Level Ministerial Engagement

The outcomes of this preparatory meeting will feed into the upcoming high-level engagements:

• BRICS Women's Working Group Meeting (6–7 July 2026)

• BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting (8–9 July 2026)

Both events are scheduled to be held in Kochi, Kerala, and are expected to finalize actionable strategies and policy recommendations.

Strengthening Global Partnerships for Gender Equity

With participation from international organizations like UN Women and industry bodies such as FICCI, the meeting underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in advancing gender equality.

Experts noted that such collaborations are critical to:

• Scaling impact across regions

• Bridging policy and implementation gaps

• Leveraging innovation for inclusive growth

A Step Toward a More Inclusive Global Future

As India leads the BRICS platform in 2026, the focus on women's empowerment signals a strategic shift toward inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development models.

The preparatory meeting sets the stage for deeper engagement among BRICS nations, with the goal of building a collective roadmap that empowers women across economies and societies.