Inclusive Gender Empowerment for a More Sustainable World
On March 17, 2025, an impactful event on the subject of ‘Inclusive Gender Empowerment for a More Sustainable World’ was held at the United Nations premises in Geneva, Switzerland. The event explored the topics of ‘women’s influence on sustainability,’ ‘current state of women’s rights,’ and ‘integrating gender equality into sustainability.’ Distinguished professionals with a proven track record in the global arena, particularly in the areas of inclusive gender empowerment and sustainability, were invited to address the event. The panel included senior UN officials, diplomats, social development practitioners, and SDG specialists.
A key highlight was the address by Dr. Kalpana Sankar, President, Hand in Hand Switzerland, renowned for her pioneering work in tackling poverty through a holistic approach, invited as a keynote speaker. Sharing her vast experience in poverty alleviation, thereby creating 10 million jobs, Dr. Kalpana shed light on the dire situation faced by women, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid. She emphasised that empowering women begins with addressing fundamental needs such as education and healthcare, which helps build confidence, the success behind the Hand in Hand model revolving around the five-pillar programme. She also touched upon the critical importance of access to clean water and sanitation, which not only empowers women but also positively impacts families and communities at large.
Other distinguished speakers, including Ms. Anaclaudia Rossbach, Head, UN-Habitat; H.E. Paul Bekkers, Netherlands Ambassador to Switzerland; Ms. Adriana Quiñones, Human Rights & Development Head, UN Women; and Ms. Ruzanna Tarverdyan, provided further insights, enriching the discussions and making the session comprehensive. The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where the audience had the opportunity to interact with the speakers.
