Women in sustainability

Women’s empowerment is a key factor for achieving sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability. Women in India represent a substantial chunk of able workforce. However, the decision of and ability for women to participate in the labour force is the outcome of various economic and social factors that interact in a complex fashion at both the household and macro-level. Based on global evidence, some of the most important drivers include educational attainment, fertility rates and the age of marriage, economic growth/cyclical effects, and urbanization. In addition to these issues, social norms determining the role of women in the public domain continue to affect outcomes. With, 49 countries still lacking laws protecting women from domestic violence, 39 barring equal inheritance rights for daughters and sons and continued violence against women, inclusion of women is still a challenge

Sustainable development depends on an equitable distribution of resources for today and for the future as well as acknowledging the role and contribution of women in the workforce.

This session celebrates the contributions of women in the realm of sustainable development. A true sustainably developing nation would be one that focuses on gender equality, balanced economic growth, a high level of education along with social progress, all aiming towards protection and enhancing the quality of the environment.