C20 Working Group Summit on Gender
Equality and Disability Inaugurated

BHUBANESWAR / April 22, 2023: The Gender Equality and Disability Summit of Civil
20 (C20), one of the official Engagement Groups of the G20, has been inaugurated at
Bhubaneswar, with the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) hosting the event.
Dignitaries present during the inaugural ceremony included Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder,
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT); Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri,
Troika and Steering Committee Member C20 and Vice Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi
Math; Vijay Nambiar, C20 Sherpa; Phoolranee Rampadarath from Ministry of Gender
Equality & Family Welfare, Mauritius; and C20 International Advisory Committee Members
Ramu Damodaran and Naila Chowdhry. Kalpana Devi Koonjoo-Shah, Hon’ble
Minister, Gender Equality & Family Welfare, Republic of Mauritius, addressed the
audience virtually.
During two days of the Summit, more than 300 delegates from India and around the world
would participate in discussions and workshops that will directly impact the policy
recommendations which will be launched at the C20 Summit in July 2023.
Addressing the delegates, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Founder, Kalinga Institute of Industrial
Technology (KIIT), said: “Gender equality and disability rights are critical issues, and we
need to work together to address them. To fully realize gender equality, we have to ensure
that all women and girls have access to the same opportunity and rights as boys and men, but
this is easier said than done. Gender discrimination is deeply ingrained in our societies. We
need a holistic approach that addresses aspects like education, healthcare, and employment
that affect vulnerable and marginalized groups. This means shifting gender relations,
promoting women leadership, and engaging men and boys in the process of attaining gender
equality. Let us all continue to work together to make a difference. The power of
collaboration is immense and together, we can make a better world.”
Said Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Troika and Steering Committee Member, C20,
and Vice Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math: “Without recognizing and accepting
women as equals, true freedom, happiness, harmony and coexistence will remain a far cry.
Even though the world has become relatively more pro-women, a lot still needs to change. In
many countries and cultures, there is an urgent need for women to be liberated from the
intellectual and psychological clutches of men and society. Men must be compassionate and
unchain women from the shackles of their past. Women too must heighten their
consciousness to come out of this psychological conditioning that society has forced on
them.”
In her video message at the inaugural ceremony, C20 Chair Mata Amritanandamayi Devi
(Amma), said: “Many nations still treat women as inferior. Despite the world making
tremendous progress in last many decades, there still is a great reluctance and mental block in
acknowledging women’s equality. Among adolescent girls worldwide, one in four is denied
education and employment. In the case of boys, this statistic is only one in ten. When women
are suppressed, the world loses the productive contribution of 50 percent of its population.”

PRESS
RELEASE

The G20 (Group of 20) is a forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union. It works
to address major issues related to the global economy. C20 provides a platform for Civil
Society Organizations (CSO) around the world to voice people’s aspirations to the world
leaders in G20.
More information about the GED summit is available on: https://c20.amma.org/ged