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During UNGA week, Reliance Foundation held an important discussion
Experts from around the world gather in New York to discuss women’s empowerment
External Affairs Minister of India Jaishankar stressed on the solution of the problems of the countries
New York. Women in India are transforming communities with digital technologies. These women can provide ways to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Eminent speakers of the world said this at a high level discussion organized by Reliance Foundation-Observer Research Foundation-UN in India during UNGA week on Friday. The discussion took place in the wake of the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
A book titled Aspirations, Access and Agency: Women Transforming Lives with Technology was released at the event. It is published by Reliance Foundation and Observer Research Foundation. It has inspiring stories of women. These stories reveal how women from the remotest corners of India have used digital technologies to benefit from empowerment, financial services, health care, sanitation etc. Our UN Secretary General and Envoy on Technology, Amandeep Singh Gill, said the publication shows that ‘it is truly inspiring that when you bring together the right process and technology to reach people, it is magic. ‘ During a discussion on ‘Women in Technology and the SDGs’, Shomby Sharp, India Resident Coordinator at the United Nations said that women are at the forefront of both long-term development and short-term crisis response.
UN Secretary General Amandeep Singh Gill and Reliance Foundation Strategic Initiative Advisor Vanita Sharma at the book launch.
With demand increasing dramatically in rural areas, India is expected to have 1 billion smartphone users in the next four years. Today 54 percent of women in India have a mobile phone. Which is 45.9% more than last 4 years. Similarly, the number of women operating bank accounts independently has increased from 53% to about 80%. At the same time, more than 22.5% Indian women use mobile phones for financial transactions.
Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa in her concluding remarks stressed that real change is a product of the empowerment of women and girls. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and former Administrator of UNDP, commended India for adopting and supporting the Human Development Agenda.
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark emphasized on strengthening women’s access to digital technologies.
In the context of India’s G20 Presidency, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on ‘G20 Imperative-Green Growth and Development for All’ emphasized that the G20 Forum was an ideal body to listen to the concerns of developing countries. India invited many countries. Many countries were invited to participate during India’s presidency to discuss the real problems of the world. Issues that are not getting the awareness and recognition they deserve. He also stressed the need for multilateralism and the importance of its reform.
Zimbabwe’s First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa delivered the closing address.
Britain’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Minister of State for Development, Vicky Ford, said development efforts must be climate change sensitive and innovative. Financing techniques must be deployed to meet worldwide financial needs. He also stressed on the need to educate girls and empower women. World Economic Forum President Borge Brende said the private sector should be an important part of the G20 agenda. This finance can help in climate change adaptation. More attention is needed in this area.
Jagannath Kumar, CEO, Reliance Foundation said that Reliance’s commitment to growth is embedded in our vision of ‘We Care’. We are focused on enabling the platform across all sectors to achieve the SDGs in India. It focuses on women empowerment to green development and equitable development for all. Observer Research Foundation President Sameer Saran said that real progress is possible only when our efforts are inclusive, green, community-led and catalyzed by strong policies and leadership.
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tags: new york, Reliance Foundation
First Published: September 27, 2022, 23:00 IST
