India chairs first BRICS Women’s Working Group meeting

The Ministry of Women and Child Development convened the first preparatory meeting of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Women’s Working Group in virtual mode under India’s presidency of the interGovernmental grouping this year, officials said.

The meeting, held on April 30, reaffirmed India’s commitment to promoting women-led development, recognising them as key drivers of economic growth, governance and social transformation, according to the ministry.

Representatives from BRICS member countries participated in the meeting, along with officials from various ministries and departments of the Government of India. Knowledge partners, including UN Women and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), also attended it, the ministry said.

Additional Secretary in the ministry, Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, welcomed the delegates and set the tone for the discussions, it added.

Guided by the theme of India’s BRICS chairship - “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability” - the meeting focused on key global issues concerning women, which were grouped into four priority areas: women in governance and leadership; financial and digital inclusion; women’s entrepreneurship and skill development; and women’s role in climate action, food security and nutrition.

BRICS member nations, in their interventions, congratulated India on its chairship and expressed support for the identified priority areas, a ministry statement said.
The discussions will contribute to key outcomes to be finalised at the BRICS Women Working Group Meeting (July 6-7) and the BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting (July 8-9) to be held in Kochi, Kerala, the statement added.