People at helm across global south must ensure gender equity policies’ implementation: Smriti Irani

Gender equity: Former Union Minister Smriti Irani has said that people at the helm of affairs across the global south must ensure that gender equity policies are fully implemented.

Addressing leaders of the World Bank in Washington DC, regarding the importance of expanding gender equity in India and throughout the Global South, Irani said vital areas including education, healthcare, childcare, and housing policies majorly impact women.  

“In order to expand our global competitiveness, leaders of government and commerce throughout the global south must ensure that gender equity policies are fully implemented,” Irani said.

“Policies concerning education, healthcare, childcare, and housing policies disproportionately impact women  especially in developing and growing economies like ours. It is important that we get the policy right so that women and girls can help lead government and industry, while also fulfilling their personal potential,” Irani further added.

The Alliance is a privately funded, Indian based, non-governmental organisation (NGO) working to empower women across the globe achieve their economic potential.

Addressing the World Bank leaders, Irani highlighted the issues of gender parity in the Global South and to the importance of engaging both political and corporate leadership. She in particular mentioned India’s work to advance education policy, expand programs investing in women-led enterprises and shift cultural mindsets towards women as issues core to gender equity.

“Our region of the world is growing in terms of population, economic output, and global influence, so it is incumbent upon us – as leaders – to have the foresight, will, and commitment to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to meet her or his potential,” Irani said.

Irani will continue to meet with government and business leaders in Washington, DC, over the next several days to discuss her priorities for gender equity.