New Delhi, May 1 The Ministry of Women and Child Development convened the first preparatory meeting of the BRICS Women’s Working Group for discussions on women’s role in governance, financial and digital inclusion and food security, and nutrition, an official said on Friday.
The discussions held, in virtual mode, under India’s BRICS Presidency will contribute towards key outcomes to be culminated in the BRICS Women Working Group Meeting (July 6-7, 2026) and the BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting (July 8–9, 2026) to be held in Kochi, Kerala, said a statement.
Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, set the tone for discussion at the meeting on Thursday by reaffirming India’s commitment to encouraging women-led development, recognising women as key drivers of economic growth, governance, and social transformation.
BRICS member nations, in their interventions, congratulated India on its chairship, welcomed and supported the priority areas, imbibing the spirit of cooperation and learning, said the statement.
Guided by the theme of India’s BRICS chairship: ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability,’ the meeting held discussions on key themes and common concerns of women globally, distilled into four priority areas.
These included 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, said the statement.
Apart from representatives of BRICS member countries, the meeting was also attended by various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India and knowledge partners, including UN Women and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
In September 2023, the G20, under the Indian Presidency, shifted the focus for the first time from women’s development to women-led development.
In a historic achievement for gender equality, women's empowerment and women-led development, the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023 incorporated the Chair’s Statement, which was adopted at the G20 Ministerial Conference for Women Empowerment in Gandhinagar on August 2-4, 2023.
The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration 2023 focused on ‘Enhancing Economic and Social Empowerment’, ‘Bridging the Gender Digital Divide’, ‘Driving Gender Inclusive Climate Action’ and ‘Securing Women’s Food Security, Nutrition and Well-Being’.
The Leaders of the G20 agreed to the creation of a Working Group on the empowerment of women to support the G20 Women’s Ministerial, with the understanding that it will convene its first meeting during the Brazilian G20 Presidency.
This commitment by G20 leaders reflected Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s consistent support for gender parity and gender equity, which has helped G20 countries reach this milestone, said a statement.
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