Building a Gender-Equity Ecosystem is Essential for Women's Self-Reliance, Says Smriti Irani

Smriti Zubin Irani, a former Union Minister and BJP leader, emphasised the importance of creating a gender-equity ecosystem to empower women and prepare them for the future. She highlighted the necessity of centring women in development policies to achieve this goal. Irani made these remarks at the We4Her Foundation's flagship event.

The event, held at the India Habitat Centre, was organised in collaboration with advisory firm Primus Partners. It brought together policymakers, corporates, NGOs, and grassroots leaders to discuss how Indian cities can become safer and more inclusive for women. Discussions focused on women's workforce participation, gender-sensitive infrastructure, and financial inclusion.

Gender-Sensitive Urban Planning

Two reports were launched during the event, shedding light on the impact of gendered urban planning and the role of women-led green startups. These reports included field studies from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bhopal. They examined how access to transit and safety affects women's employment opportunities.

The studies revealed that gender-neutral urban planning often neglects women's specific needs. This oversight creates barriers to their economic participation. The lack of safe public transport, inadequate sanitation facilities, and poor street lighting were identified as significant obstacles to women's mobility and work access.

Empowering Women-Led Initiatives

The reports also profiled women-led sustainable businesses under the UnPollute 2024 initiative. These businesses are paving the way for environmentally friendly practices while empowering women entrepreneurs. The findings called for gender-sensitive infrastructure prioritising safety, accessibility, and inclusivity in urban design.

Irani stressed the need to make women independent enough to lead voices and shape gender narratives. "To future-proof us, we need to put women at the centre. Make them independent enough to lead voices, shape gender narratives, and don't just amplify a voice—build it, believe in it, back it," she said.

Collaborative Efforts for Change

The event concluded with a call for sector-wide collaboration to drive meaningful change. Participants agreed on the importance of working together across various sectors to address these challenges effectively. By doing so, they aim to create an environment where women can thrive economically and socially.

Overall, the discussions underscored the critical role of inclusive urban planning and support for women-led initiatives in achieving gender equity. The focus remains on ensuring that development policies are designed with women's needs at their core.

With inputs from PTI