8th Gender Equality Summit 2025: “Pathways to Partnerships and Collaborative Action: Bringing South Asia Together for SDG 5”

The 8th Gender Equality Summit 2025 brought together thought leaders, policymakers, industry leaders, and change-makers from across South Asia to explore pathways for achieving gender equality (SDG 5). The summit was an impactful platform for sharing ideas, discussing challenges, and fostering collaboration to empower women and promote gender parity in the region.

The Masterclass Session was an interactive exploration of strategies and skills necessary to empower the next generation of women leaders. Leading experts such as Seepika Singhal, Senior Director at Brillio Technologies, and Sowmya Shresth, Head of People & Organisation at Novonesis, provided valuable insights on mentorship, self-awareness, resilience, and the latest trends in diversity and inclusion.

The Valedictory Session featured thought-provoking contributions from Archana Mayaram, Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, who emphasized the importance of partnership between men and women to drive change. Joyshree Das Verma, President of FICCI Ladies Organisation, and Vinod Pandey, Secretary of UN GCNI, echoed the call for collective action and sustained progress towards gender parity.

Plenary Session III: “Rural Voices, Global Impact – Empowering Women in Agriculture and Small Enterprises” addressed the challenges and opportunities in empowering rural women, especially in agriculture and small enterprises. Experts like Ruchi Khemka, VP at Deutsche Bank, and Aradhana Rai Gupta, Co-Founder of Project Baala, stressed the importance of financial inclusion, digital literacy, and collaboration to support rural women’s empowerment. Sowmya Shresth highlighted that time is a critical resource for rural women and policies must ease their burdens to enable economic participation.

In Plenary Session II, discussions on regional action for global impact highlighted the barriers and opportunities in advancing women’s economic empowerment in South Asia. Srinivas Tata from ESCAP and Bhagyashri Dengle from Plan International discussed the need for systemic reforms and the importance of tackling deeply ingrained societal norms. Rachana Panda from Bayer emphasized the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive gender equality.

The Fireside Chat: “Bridging Policy and Progress – Unlocking Pathways for Women in Leadership” featured expert reflections on the structural barriers women face in leadership roles. Key insights from Leena Nandan, former Secretary at MoEFCC, and Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP, highlighted the importance of role models, mentorship, and collective action to achieve gender equity.

The Plenary Session I: “From Borrowers to Builders – Women’s Role in India’s Financial Growth Story” addressed the challenges women entrepreneurs face in accessing formal credit. Discussions led by Krishna Thacker from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Sanchita Mitra from SEWA Bharat emphasized the need for innovative lending models and data-driven credit assessments to empower women entrepreneurs and foster financial independence.

Throughout the summit, Dr. Fauzia Khan, Member of Parliament, stressed the critical role of women in the labor market, particularly in rural areas, for economic growth. The summit also emphasized the importance of data-driven solutions, financial inclusion, and digital empowerment to create sustainable change for women in South Asia. The collective call for action underscored the urgency to transition from dialogue to impactful action in achieving gender equality.

8th Gender Equality Summit 2025 was a powerful catalyst for collaboration and action, driving forward the agenda of empowering women, fostering leadership, and bridging the gender gap across South Asia.