| Time |
Session |
| 12:30 to 13:40 |
Lunch (Venue: Multifunctional Area) |
| 13:45 - 14:00 |
Welcome Remarks:
Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation and Chair, T20 India Secretariat
Opening Remarks:
Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, Joint Secretary (G20), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India |
| 14:00 to 15:30 |
Session 1: Women and Economy: Emerging Sectors and the Future of Work
Women-led development is supported by several international frameworks, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to achieve SDG 5 of gender equality, it is crucial that women have a full and equal share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making. Education, upskilling and reskilling of half the population is critical especially with rapid digital transformation. Aspirational women seek institutions that serve them. In an age that is largely shaped by technological advances, women must have access to the opportunities created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Context Setting: Video Addresses
- Debjani Ghosh, President, National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM)
- Samantha Hung, Chief of Gender Equality Thematic Group, Asian Development Bank
Special Address:
- María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Executive Director, GWL Voices, and Former President of the 73rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
Panelists:
- María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Executive Director, GWL Voices, and Former President of the 73rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations
- Baratang Miya, Founder and CEO, Girlhype, Women Who Code
- Susan Ferguson, Country Representative, UN Women
- Kajal Ilmi, Founder, MD & CEO at Aviom India Housing Finance.
Moderator:
- Charu Malhotra, Co-Founder, Primus Partners
|
| 15:30 to 15:50 |
Break |
| 15:50 to 16:20 |
Spotlight Session: Women’s leadership in the Uniformed Services
Women have been serving in the Indian Navy for over two decades now. The Navy has had women serving in the medical corps, Naval Architecture, Pilots, Logistics and Education as well as take part and even lead the confinement at the Republic Day Parade and undertake various sailing and mountaineering expeditions over the globe.
In the recent past the Navy has inducted women in the field of Naval Armament, Aviation and now as cadets under post-high school Bachelor of Technology entry scheme. With the Agniveer scheme, for the first time the Indian Navy has also begun to train the first batch of women sailors in the Navy.
The Indian Navy is presently training two women officers one of whom will become the first woman in Asia to circumnavigate the globe in a sailing vessel, non-stop and unassisted.
The Navy has benefited from including women in various disciplines/fields as this inclusion has ensured that the country does not lose out on having the best and most capable personnel available for a role purely on the basis of gender. The women joining the Navy in various roles have proven without a doubt that they are capable of sustaining high levels of stress and endure rough conditions and perform important administrative and operational roles.
Indian Navy Introduction Video
Panelists:
- Women as Medical Officers by Surgeon Commander Shazia Khan
- Women in Naval aviation by Lieutenant Commander Swati Bhandari
- Women as Naval Constructors by Lieutenant Commander Tavishi Singh
- Women leading the RD parade Naval contingent by Lieutenant Commander Disha Amrith
Hybrid:
- Lieutenant Commander Roopa and Lieutenant Commander Dilna
Moderator:
- Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation and Chair, T20 India Secretariat
|
| 16:20 to 17:20 |
Session 2: Agents of Change: Climate Resilience and Food Systems
Promoting opportunities that recognise the nexus between environmental sustainability, food security, and gender equality is critical to ensuring a just and sustainable green transition. Women bear the brunt of the climate crisis, which further deepens gender inequalities, risking their livelihoods and health. During extreme climate events, women, as agricultural workers and primary procurers, are impacted in terms of income and resources, and in many regions, they bear a disproportionate burden for securing food and fuel for their families. Women’s participation and leadership is crucial for building climate resilience in communities and for building resilient food systems. Women’s priorities must be reflected in the planning, development, and funding of national and local level climate policies.
Panelists:
- Suranjali Tandon, Assistant Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, India
- Vera Helena Thorstensen, Head, Center for Global Trade and Investment, Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), Brazil
- Temina Lalani Shariff, Regional Director, South Asia, Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
- Hyun Hee Ban, Chief, Social Policy, UNICEF India
Moderator:
- Sunaina Kumar, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation and Executive Director, T20 India Secretariat
|
| 17:20 to 17:30 |
Concluding Remarks:
- Eenam Gambhir, Joint Secretary (G20), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
|
