New Delhi: In a virtual address to the G20 Ministerial Conference on Women Empowerment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the crucial role of women's leadership in fostering inclusivity and driving positive change. He extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries attending the conference in Gandhinagar, a city named after Mahatma Gandhi, expressing delight at their opportunity to visit Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. Here, they could witness first-hand the visionary ideas of sustainability, self-reliance, and equality advocated by Gandhi.

PM Modi urged for immediate and sustainable solutions to pressing global issues like climate change and global warming. He highlighted the simplicity of Gandhiji's lifestyle, serving as an inspiration for the world to embrace sustainable practices.

"When women prosper, the world prospers," the prime minister remarked, noting that their economic empowerment fuels growth and their access to education drives global progress. He emphasized that women's leadership fosters inclusivity and their voices inspire positive change. PM Modi underscored that the most effective way to empower women is through a women-led development approach, and India is making significant strides in this direction.

He praised the exemplary leadership of President Droupadi Murmu, who hails from a humble tribal background and yet leads the world's largest democracy while serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the second-largest defense force globally. He also acknowledged India's early commitment to women's rights, with equal voting and election rights bestowed upon women since the inception of the Indian Constitution.

The prime minister commended the remarkable contributions of women across various domains. He informed the gathering that 46% of elected representatives in rural local bodies in India are women, amounting to an impressive 1.4 million. Women have been instrumental in driving economic, environmental, and social change, especially during the pandemic. PM Modi proudly acknowledged their pivotal role in the manufacturing of masks, sanitizers, and raising awareness about infection prevention.

PM Modi stressed the increasing participation of women in technical education and STEM fields, citing their invaluable contributions to space missions like Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, and Mission Mars, critical to India's space achievements. He also noted that more women in India are now enrolling in higher education than men, and the country boasts one of the highest percentages of female pilots in civil aviation, with women also flying fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force.

Acknowledging the crucial roles of women as the backbone of rural agricultural families, small traders, and shopkeepers, PM Modi highlighted their potential to offer innovative solutions to climate change. He recalled the historic Chipko Movement, where women from the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan led one of India's first prominent climate actions.

The prime minister lauded the conference's focus on women's entrepreneurship, leadership, and education. He expressed confidence that the unyielding efforts in Gandhinagar would instill hope and confidence in women worldwide. He also commended the launch of the 'Tech-Equity Platform,' aimed at enhancing digital and financial literacy for women, and announced the establishment of a new Working Group on 'Women Empowerment' under India's G20 Presidency.

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