Leaders’ Declaration Reaffirms ‘Gender Equality’ As Fundamental Issue For G-20

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi along with other G-20 member states reassures their commitment towards ‘Gender Equality’ in the New Delhi Leaders’ Summit Declaration. PM Modi adopted a 100 per cent consensus-based New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration. 

Leaders’ Declaration or New Delhi Leaders’ Summit Declaration contains all the pointers and subjects all the G-20 member agrees upon unanimously. This adoption is considered a big win for India in its G-20 presidency as there are multiple issues over every member state does not think alike however, Indian diplomacy and strategic foreign policy made it possible. 

The declaration document contains issues ranging from climate change, infrastructural development, countering terrorism, empowering less deprived social groups, creating digital public infrastructure, strengthening global health etc. 

In regard to gender equality, the declaration document read, “We encourage women-led development and remain committed to enhancing women’s full, equal, effective, and meaningful participation as decision-makers for addressing global challenges inclusively and in contributing as active participants in all spheres of society, across all sectors and at all levels of the economy, which is not only crucial for achieving gender equality but also for contributing to global GDP growth.”

Leaders’ Commitment To Equalise Gender 

Women and the female population comprise 50.42 per cent of the total world population and are leading multiple sectors. History has clearly witnessed the exploitation and deterioration of women's class by depriving them of education, equal opportunities and a safer environment. G-20 is a vast platform that includes 19 countries and two regional groups and has the potential to bring significant change. Gender Equality does not only mean uplifting women and girls socially but also aims to provide them equal opportunities to get educated, employed and expand. 

The first commitment of the leaders’ declaration reaffirms the G-20 commitment to the achievement of the Brisbane Goal to reduce the gap in labour force participation. 

In further pointers, the leaders’ declaration assures to eliminate gender-based bias, sexual violence, harassment and sexual abuse. Making women financially empowered is the most prominent way to women empowerment, The member states of G-20 committed to promoting women’s involvement in the formal financial system by providing them the resources.

The New Delhi Leaders’ Summit Declaration made the most significant announcement of creating a separate working group for the empowerment of women that will support the G-20 women’s ministerial. The Women’s Empowerment Working Group will convene its first meeting during the Brazilian Presidency 2024. 

Digitally Empowered Women

The whole world is experiencing the digital revolution and the leaders of G-20 member states are concerned that no women and girls are left behind due to the digital divide. Therefore, the leaders across the G-20 states have promised to embrace all the initiatives to induce women's empowerment in the digital economy. 

The leaders’ declaration also mentioned that G-20 member states will try to eliminate all kinds of offline and online abuse so that women can enter into the digital ambit fearlessly. 

The declaration also highlighted leaders’ commitment to induce women’s participation and leadership in the mitigation and decision-making processes. 

Ensuring Women’s Holistic Health 

Women can develop and empower rest of the society when she will be mentally, physically and socially healthy. The women’s metabolism and functioning of their brains are quite different than men's, hence they require more care and attention. Promising the same, the declaration mentioned supporting gender-responsive and age-sensitive nutrition and food system interventions by leveraging innovative financing instruments and social protection systems to end hunger and malnutrition. 

Gender equality is a serious issue that needs proper attention and a concrete policy framework, World stages like G-20 can play a crucial role in providing all the required resources and support to women across the nations to progress beyond their set limits