Round Table Conference- Global Women Diplomats: Breaking Barriers; Shaping Global Affairs
Women diplomats from various geographies expressed the need for gender equality in global diplomatic roles at the inaugural BRICS CCI WE, Trailblazers Dialogues Roundtable on Global Women Diplomats: Breaking Barriers; Shaping Global Affairs held in the capital.
Historically, diplomacy has been the preserve of men. However, research shows that when women have a seat at the table, the odds of reducing instability and conflict improve significantly. The results of the 2023 Women in Diplomacy Index suggest that women remain underrepresented in ambassadorship positions across the world with only around 20% of all ambassadors being women in 2023. Between 1992 and 2019, women represented a mere 13 percent of negotiators, 6 percent of mediators, and 6 percent of signatories in peace processes worldwide. The numbers are even lower in conflict-affected states where women have been quasi-absent from peace processes.
Delivering the welcome address, Ms. Ruby Sinha, President, BRICS CCI WE said, “While recognizing the indispensable contributions women have made to diplomacy throughout history, let us also collectively work towards a future where gender equality and women’s empowerment are fully integrated into our diplomatic efforts.” ‘’These discussions are especially important in a year when India is spearheading the G20 dialogues with holistic and inclusive, women-led development being a key focus area,’’ she added.
The Roundtable saw the participation of Ambassador Bizunesh Meseret, Deputy Head Of Mission, Embassy of Ethiopia; Ms. Wathsala Amarasinghe, Minister Counsellor, High Commission of Sri Lanka; Ms. Hagar Spiro-Tal, First Secretary (Political), Embassy of Israel in India; Ms. Amaranta Vandeperre, Third Secretary and Counsel, Embassy of Chile; Ms. Jalpa Ratna, Chief of Field Services, United Nations Children’s Fund. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Shormishtha Ghosh, Governing Body Member, BRICS CCI.
Amb. Manju Seth (Retd.), The former Ambassador & Consul General of India delivered the valedictory address.
BRICS WE Summit 2023
The 3rd edition of BRICS CCI Annual Women Summit and Felicitations 2023 was organized on 4th March 2023 at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi. An Initiative by BRICS CCI Women’s Vertical based on the theme: Women Shaping the Techade. It was indeed a very insightful event and was attended by a huge number of participants.
The theme for the event, “Women Shaping the Techade,” was chosen in light of how incredible this decade has been in terms of technological innovation and how it has changed every element of human life. But without the participation of well-known female leaders who have influenced the way this world runs, this technical advancement could not even be conceived. The BRICS CCI WE is organizing this event to celebrate women from a variety of fields who have reshaped and envisioned their surroundings and serve as role models for the younger generation.
The Summit felicitated some exceptional women who have played an important role in shaping the Techade and recognized the efforts of women entrepreneurs and leaders across various sectors. Smt. Aruna Sundarajan, Former Secretary, Dept. of Telecommunications was conferred with the lifetime achievement felicitation for her role in creating the world-class National Digital Communication Policy 2018 and formulating India’s 5G policy.
Dr. Zoya Ali Rizvi – Deputy Commissioner at National Health Mission, Ministry of Health & Family Affairs, Government of India; Dr. (Smt) Chandrika Kaushik, Director General – Production Coordination & Services Interaction, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Dr. Rattan Deep Kaur Virk, Board Member, SEIROS and Ms. Prerna Jhunjhunwala- Founder – Creative Galileo were felicitated as Trailblazers.
The event also recognized the accomplishments of up-and-coming female entrepreneurs from the BRICS CCI network and beyond. These included Ms. Imaan Javan, Director of Operations, Suntuity Renewable Energy India LLP, Ms. Swati Mehta, Co-Founder & COO, Empyreal Galaxy Pvt. Ltd., Ms. Nargis Bhadra, Founder, Amani, Ms. Tarini Malhotra, Founder, Nai Subah Foundation, Dr. Priyanka Anuj Sidharth, Dental Surgeon, KosenRufu Dental Clinic and Ms. Himani Mishra, Managing Director, Brand Radiator.
Mr. Thabang Linus Kholumo, Charge d’ Affaires, High Commission of the Kingdom of Lesotho, attended the summit. The occasion was also graced by the attendance of representatives from the American, Chinese, and Gambia embassies. At the Summit, Ms. Swati Maliwal, Chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, gave the valedictory speech. Ms. Sonal Goel (IAS), Resident Commissioner, Tripura Bhavan, also addressed the gathering.