Former Union Minister Smriti Irani engaged with senior World Bank officials in Washington, emphasizing the importance of gender parity across the Global South, particularly highlighting India’s progress in advancing equality.

During her discussions, Irani stressed the need for robust implementation of gender equity policies to enable women, especially in developing nations, to fully contribute to both the government and private sectors. She remarked, “For global competitiveness, leaders across the Global South must ensure that gender equity policies are effectively applied.”

Irani underscored the impact of policies related to education, healthcare, childcare, and housing on women, stating that getting these policies right is essential for women and girls to succeed in every sector while achieving their personal goals.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Irani shared, “It was a pleasure to engage with the Executive Directors of the World Bank in Washington DC. Over the past decade, India has made significant strides in women-led development under PM Narendra Modi's leadership. As the World Bank gears up to launch its Gender Strategy 2024-2030, India remains dedicated to prioritizing gender parity.”

Irani also addressed gender parity issues in the Global South and stressed the importance of involving political and business leaders. She highlighted India's efforts in education, women-led enterprises, and cultural shifts as key areas for advancing gender equity. “Our region is growing rapidly in population, economic output, and global influence. As leaders, we must ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential,” she said.

Over the coming days, Irani will continue meeting with government and business leaders in Washington to further discuss gender equity initiatives.