C20 Working Group Summit on Gender Equality in KIIT

Bhubaneswar: The Gender Equality and Disability Summit of Civil 20 (C20), one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20, has been inaugurated at Bhubaneswar, with the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) hosting the event. Dignitaries present during the inaugural ceremony included Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT); Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Troika and Steering Committee Member C20 and Vice Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math; Vijay Nambiar, C20 Sherpa; Phoolranee Rampadarath from Ministry of Gender Equality & Family Welfare, Mauritius; and C20 International Advisory Committee Members Ramu Damodaran and Naila Chowdhry. Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, Hon’ble Minister, Gender Equality & Family Welfare, Republic of Mauritius, addressed the audience virtually. During two days of the Summit, more than 300 delegates from India and around the world would participate in discussions and workshops that will directly impact the policy recommendations which will be launched at the C20 Summit in July 2023.

Addressing the delegates, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), said: “Gender equality and disability rights are critical issues, and we need to work together to address them. To fully realize gender equality, we have to ensure that all women and girls have access to the same opportunity and rights as boys and men, but this is easier said than done. Gender discrimination is deeply ingrained in our societies. We need a holistic approach that addresses aspects like education, healthcare, and employment that affect vulnerable and marginalized groups. This means shifting gender relations, promoting women leadership, and engaging
men and boys in the process of attaining gender equality. Let us all continue to work together to make a difference. The power of collaboration is immense and together, we can make a better world.” Said Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Troika and Steering Committee Member, C20, and Vice Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math: “Without recognizing and accepting women as equals, true freedom, happiness, harmony and coexistence will remain a far cry.

Even though the world has become relatively more pro-women, a lot still needs to change. In many countries and cultures, there is an urgent need for women to be liberated from the intellectual and psychological clutches of men and society. Men must be compassionate and unchain women from the shackles of their past. Women too must heighten their consciousness to come out of this psychological conditioning that society has forced on them.” In her video message at the inaugural ceremony, C20 Chair Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma), said: “Many nations still treat women as inferior. Despite the world making tremendous progress in last many decades, there still is a great reluctance and mental block in acknowledging women’s equality. Among adolescent girls worldwide, one in four is denied education and employment. In the case of boys, this statistic is only one in ten. When women are suppressed, the world loses the productive contribution of 50 percent of its population.” The G20 (Group of 20) is a forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union. It works to address major issues related to the global economy. C20 provides a platform for Civil Society Organizations (CSO) around the world to voice people’s aspirations to the world leaders in G20.

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