Edition 15

SheSpeaks is a series of editions, that brings into focus issues that are relevant to the broader objective of women's empowerment. Inclusion | Skill Development | Entrepreneurship is our theme for Edition 15, held at the India International Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi on 27th March 2024 – in celebration of International Women's Day from 2 pm, onwards.

Eminent panelists discussed issues relevant to women today; the event promises to be one that will inspire, motivate, and provide policy input for people in Academia, Government, Youth, and every stakeholder desirous of a strong developing India. It's also an opportunity to look at where we stand in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and overcoming related challenges. Art and culture were also woven into the event to make it celebratory and vivid.

The UN Women International Women’s Day theme for 2024 is – “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress”. Investing in women highlights the role that bold, transformative ideas, inclusive technologies, and accessible education can play in combatting discrimination and the marginalization of women globally. Investment is a driver of change and by investing in developing the unique skills and knowledge of women in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM), we can accelerate our progress towards a gender-equal future.

While innovation has the power to transform lives, we know that there are still many barriers to equality. Access to inclusive digital technologies and education is critical. We must innovate to close the digital divide that keeps so many women offline and away from new opportunities. By ensuring equal access to education for women and girls and creating clear pathways and inclusive workplaces for women in STEM, we can leverage the transformative power of inclusive innovation, so critical to cracking the code to gender equality.

Accessibility is pertinent to achieving SDGs – 3,5,6 namely – Health, Education, and Gender Equality. Healthy literacy, skill development, capacity building, entrepreneurship development, financial inclusion, and digital literacy are the core areas of our intervention. As a committed and responsible NGO, we are determined to make health consciousness, health awareness, and health literacy available to the last mile in the COVID-inflicted world.

As part of our event, we will be joining hands with eminent leaders, bureaucrats, judiciary, corporate honchos, entrepreneurs, think tanks, academicians, artists, and diplomats who share our vision and efforts toward building India as a gender-equal and inclusive society.

Agenda of the Event:
UN THEME – INVEST IN WOMEN, ACCELERATE PROGRESS

Our Theme – Women in Business

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  o Examining the role of women entrepreneurs in driving innovation.
  o Exploring success stories of women-led startups and their impact on industries.
• Investment and Finance
  o Challenges in establishing themselves with the finance sectors.
  o Addressing challenges women face while acquiring investments.

Snapshot of Previous Editions:
Eminent Speakers of SheSpeaks: Edition 14
1. H.E. Dimitrios Ioannou, Ambassador of Greece to India
2. Sarita Ahlawat MD & Cofounder Bot Lab Dynamics

Eminent SheSpeaks Panelists So far:
• Justice Mr. D Y Chandrachud, Hon'ble Justice of the Supreme Court of India
• Tara Maa BhattacharJi, Granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of Nation
• Mrs. Lakshmi Puri, Former Ast Secretary General of the UN.
• Member of Parliament Padma Vibhushan Dr Sonal Mansingh
• Member of Parliament Dr Kirit Bhai Solanki, Ahmedabad
• Member of Parliament Hon. Smt. Sunita Duggal, Haryana
• Padmashri Shovana Narayan
• Excellency Mr Ugo Astuto, The EU Ambassador to India and Bhutan
• Mr Anshu Prakash, IAS Secretary to the Department of Telecom, Govt of India
• Mr Sanjay Bhatia, IAS Chairman of Mumbai Port Trust
• Lt. Gen. Dr Rajesh Pant, National Cyber Security Coordinator, PMO
• Prof Mary Evans, London School of Economics
• Mr. Sudhir Garg, IAS Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India
• Mr. Ashish Srivastava IAS Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child, Government of India
• Mr. Abhishek Singh IAS, CEO of MEITY
• P Balaji, Chief Regulatory Officer Vodafone
• Excellency Ritva Koukku-Ronde Ambassador of Finland
• H. E . Mrs Akello Dinah Grace, High Commissioner Uganda
• Mr. Puneet Chawla, CMD, RailTel