With diverse perspectives worldwide, the "Gender Justice and a Feminist Future" panel touched upon the problems subaltern women face.
Published Apr 26, 2025 | 11:13 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 26, 2025 | 11:26 AM
Gender Justice and a Feminist Future panel at Bharat Summit 2025. (Supplied)
Synopsis: At the Bharat Summit 2025 in Hyderabad, global leaders discussed feminist issues, emphasizing shared challenges like pay disparity, gender-based violence, and economic exclusion. Panellists from Sweden, Argentina, Mongolia, and Panama called for intersectional, inclusive reforms. Telangana’s Parnika Reddy showcased state-led empowerment initiatives. The session underscored that despite cultural differences, gender inequality is a global issue demanding unified, actionable solutions.
Feminist issues took centre stage in Hyderabad, as global leaders discussed gender at the Bharat Summit 2025. From pay disparity to domestic violence, the panel elucidated the issues women face worldwide, across cultures and economic strata.
Taking place on Friday and Saturday, 25 and 26 April at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the first session of the Summit, hailed to be the largest congregation of progressive parties, was moderated by Solapur MP Praniti Shinde.
The panel included:
With diverse perspectives worldwide, the “Gender Justice and a Feminist Future” panel touched upon the problems subaltern women face.
What does justice look like when seen through the lens of gender?
— Bharat Summit (@BharatSummit_25) April 25, 2025
At #BharatSummit2025, global voices came together to explore the path toward a feminist future—one where justice isn’t an afterthought, but a foundation.
The conversation has begun. The future is inclusive. pic.twitter.com/9A7LduhQ9m
Following Praniti Shinde’s question on the biggest challenge women face across countries, the panellists did not mince words. Ann Linde emphasised that Sweden, despite its progressive image, struggles with implementing necessary reforms. She expressed concern over a significant decline in birth rates, attributing it to the difficulty women face in balancing work and family life. “If people are not able to balance a work life with a family, it needs a second look,” she noted, adding that Sweden must not shy away from its feminist stance.
Argentinian politician Monica Fein called for women to take charge of social change movements rather than simply supporting male leaders. She also highlighted the need for greater inclusion, pointing out that non-binary identities are still punished in many parts of the world.
Undram Chinbat from Mongolia drew attention to economic inequality, advocating for more business loans for women and increased female participation in STEM. She warned that the climate crisis is hitting women hardest, especially those in agriculture and pastoral jobs. Domestic violence and sexual harassment, particularly in rural areas, also remain critical issues in Mongolia.
Panama’s Maria Alejandra echoed concerns about gender-based violence, revealing that one in three women in her country faces sexual harassment. She also called for action on the gender pay gap, urging the government to address longstanding inequality.
While global leaders highlighted the challenges women face in their respective countries, Telangana MLA Parnika Reddy shifted focus to solutions being implemented at home. “The biggest issue is acceptance,” she stated, “and in Telangana, we are working towards empowering women.”
Reddy outlined the state’s initiatives to support women’s self-help groups (SHGS), emphasising how many have been enabled to run their own businesses and even energy production units. “We aim to make a million women millionaires,” she shared, underscoring the government’s commitment to economic independence for women.
Addressing the transgender community, Reddy noted Telangana’s efforts to foster inclusivity. She highlighted the inclusion of transgender persons in the traffic police force and the establishment of 33 Maithri Clinics, which offer dedicated healthcare services to the community. “It is time we talk less and work more,” Reddy concluded.
The panellists began the session by explaining the importance of feminism. “Gender equality has been linked to quicker peaceful conflict resolution. Yet, there are few women in the various peacekeeping teams worldwide,” Ann Linde remarked. “Similarly, more women in governance have been linked to less corruption. The WEF states that women have the potential to generate trillions of dollars. Yet, the conditions remain unfavourable,” she noted.
Meanwhile, Maria Alejandra stated in Panama’s context: “The advancements are non-linear. We need to focus on the intersectionality of women’s existence.” Mongolia’s Undram Chinbat, highlighted that women were at risk of losing their jobs both due to technological advancements and climate change.
As Praniti Shinde pointed out during the session, the discussion highlighted: “Different country, same problem.”
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
