Saturday, Apr 26 2025 | Time 06:08 Hrs(IST)
States » SouthPosted at: Apr 25 2025 6:30PM


Telangana Bharat Summit: Policymakers and advocates brainstorm on gender equality and social justice

Hyderabad, Apr 25 (UNI) International political leaders, policymakers and advocates committed to advancing gender equality, social justice and inclusive governance took part in a dialogue on Gender Justice and a Feminist Future to kick start the two-day Bharat Summit organised by the Telangana government here on Friday.

Taking part in the session, former Union Minister M. M. Pallam Raju highlighted policy frameworks like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Education Act, and Telangana’s Mahalakshmi Scheme, which provides free bus travel for women.
M Raju, a former Central Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister, emphasised the power of education and mobility in uplifting communities. “When a woman in a family is educated, the whole family gets educated,” he said, underlining the ripple effect of women's empowerment on social and economic development.
Salman Khurshid, another former Union Minister, suggested tax incentives to boost women’s employment and questioned the lack of female participation in heavy industries, such as infrastructure development.
“Women must be part of every sector. The answer is not just the right laws—but the right mindset—and the right men who stand for this cause,” he said.
Former Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde spoke about the challenges facing Europe, particularly the decline in birth rates and structural disincentives for working women. She called for reforms in taxation policies and emphasised the urgent need for universal access to childcare.
“If families cannot combine work and parenting, gender equality will remain out of reach,” she said, adding that any backlash against feminism must be firmly countered.
She further noted that the Bharat Summit plays a critical role in uniting voices to uphold democratic values. “In most parliaments across the world, women are still underrepresented. There are persistent gender biases. In my country, Sweden, women enjoy equal rights, resources, and representation—but that’s not the case everywhere,” she remarked.
Linde called for feminism-based policies and structural reforms to ensure meaningful representation. “The UN has never had a woman Secretary-General. I hope that changes in the next election,” she added.
She also acknowledged India’s in gender representation, noting, “India has had more female leaders than Sweden. Gender equality also leads to reduced violence and more effective conflict resolution.”
Monica Fein, a senior leader of Argentina’s Socialist Party, argued for women’s leadership in social and political transformation. “We don’t just want to support men—we want to lead. Leadership and equality must include gender-diverse individuals and the systems that support them,” she said, stressing that real democracy lies in inclusive participation.
From Tanzania, Rabia Abdallah, a senior CCM party leader, underlined the value of cross-regional dialogue and the importance of embedding women's leadership in political structures to ensure sustained global justice.
Maria Alejandra Panay, Minister for Women Affairs, Republic of Panama, highlighted the systemic inequalities that Latin American women continue to face.
“One in three women experience sexual harassment. Young women remain invisible in mainstream policymaking,” she said, calling for better pay equity, expanded digital access, and stronger representation in science and leadership roles.
UNI SSP SJC
Tags: #Telangana Bharat Summit: Policymakers and advocates brainstorm on gender equality and social justice
More News

Telangana: 32th Yudhvir Foundation memorial award to eminent painter Thota Vaikuntam

26 Apr 2025 | 1:53 AM

Hyderabad, Apr 25 (UNI) The 32nd Yudhvir Foundation Memorial Award is being presented to Thota Vaikuntam for his outstanding contribution to art and for placing the Telangana region on the world map through his remarkable work.

see more..

Our party stands for non-violence and social justice: Telangana Dy CM

26 Apr 2025 | 1:39 AM

Hyderabad, Apr 25 (UNI) Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday said the Congress stands for non-violence, social justice and inclusive growth, and called on the people from the state and elsewhere in the country to join hands for global justice.

see more..

Telangana CM urges PM to attack Pakistan and merge POK with India

26 Apr 2025 | 12:39 AM

Hyderabad, Apr 25 (UNI) Expressing anguish over the killing of 28 innocent tourists in the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday appealed to Prime Minister Modi to attack Pakistan and merge Pak occupied Kashmir with India.

see more..

AP EAP CET-25: over 3 58 lakh applications received so far

26 Apr 2025 | 12:24 AM

Kakinada, Apr 25 (UNI) JNTUK Vice chancellor Prof CSRK Prasad, who is also the chairman for the Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture and Pharmacy common entrance test (AP EAP CET-2025), on Friday said that so far 3,58,017 students had filed their applications duly paying the fee.

see more..

Telangana Bharat Summit: delegates from 100 nations unitedly condemn Pahalgam terror attack

26 Apr 2025 | 12:22 AM

Hyderabad, Apr 25 (UNI) The representatives of political parties from 100 countries alongside other participants of the Bharat Summit here on Friday expressed their solidarity with the people of India and unequivocally condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in the strongest possible terms.

see more..