Smriti Irani discusses gender parity with World Bank leaders, highlights India’s progress

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani engaged with top World Bank leaders to address the importance of gender parity across the Global South, with a special focus on India’s strides in advancing equality.
During her meeting in Washington, Irani highlighted the need for effective implementation of gender equity policies to ensure that women, especially in developing regions, can contribute to both government and industry while realising their full potential.
“In order to expand our global competitiveness, leaders of government and commerce throughout the Global South must ensure that gender equity policies are fully implemented,” the Bharatiya Janata party leader said.
“Education, healthcare, childcare, and housing policies disproportionately impact women. It is crucial that we get these policies right, so women and girls can lead in every sector while fulfilling their personal potential,” she added.
Taking to social media platform X, Smriti Irani said, “A pleasure to engage with the Executive Directors of the World Bank in Washington DC. Over the past decade, India has made remarkable strides in Women-led Development under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. As the World Bank prepares to unveil its Gender Strategy 2024-2030, India remains committed to prioritising gender parity.”
While addressing the World Bank leaders, Irani spoke directly to the issues of gender parity in the Global South and about the importance of engaging both political and corporate leadership.
She specifically mentioned India’s work to advance education policy, expand programs investing in women-led enterprises and shift cultural mindsets towards women as issues core to gender equity. “Our region of the world is growing in terms of population, economic output, and global influence, so it is incumbent upon us – as leaders – to have the foresight, will, and commitment to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to meet her or his potential,” Irani added.
She will continue to meet with government and business leaders in Washington, DC, over the next several days to discuss her priorities for gender equity.