'We commit to halve the digital gender gap by 2030': G20 Delhi Declaration on women empowerment

The New Delhi Declaration has called for gender equality, saying it is of fundamental importance and that investing in the empowerment of all women and girls, has a multiplier effect in implementing the 2030 Agenda. At the second session of the G20 Summit, ‘One Family’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration. He said, “I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on the New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration.” Through the 29-page-long Delhi Declaration, G20 nations have announced the creation of a new Working Group on Empowerment of Women. The group will help the already-existing G20 Women’s Ministerial in its efforts to bridge the gender gap. The first meeting of this group will most likely be held at the next G20 Summit in Brazil. ‘Enhancing Economic and Social Empowerment’ The Delhi Declaration says, “We encourage women-led development and remain committed to enhancing women’s full, equal, effective, and meaningful participation as decision-makers for addressing global challenges inclusively and in contributing as active participants in all spheres of society, across all sectors and at all levels of the economy, which is not only crucial for achieving gender equality but also for contributing to global GDP growth.” It also mentions the steps the Group of 20 Nations is going to achieve its goal. The G20 nations will commit to the Brisbane Goal in an effort to bridge the gap in labour force participation. Leaders and Sherpas of G20 will also ensure that women are offered equal access to affordable, inclusive, equitable, safe and quality education from childhood. “Take steps to promote the full and meaningful participation of women in a transitioning world of work by enabling inclusive access to employment opportunities, with a focus on closing the gender pay gap and ensuring women’s equal access to decent work and quality jobs,” the declaration added. ‘Bridging the Gender Digital Divide’ G20 nations have vowed to halve the digital gender gap by 2030. To this end, the nations will formulate policy frameworks that will help women and girls to participate in national digital strategies. These policies will also ensure that women get enhanced digital literacy and skills. The declaration also says that efforts will be made to make women less vulnerable to online and offline abuse by adopting adoption of safety-by-design approaches in digital tools and technologies. Securing Women’s Food Security, Nutrition, and Well-Being In an effort to ensure that a woman and her children stay healthy, the Delhi Declaration “encourages investments in inclusive, sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems. Support accessible, affordable, safe and nutritious food and healthy diets in school meal programmes. Promote innovation for inclusive agri-value chains and systems by and for women farmers.” It also vows to support gender-responsive and age-sensitive nutrition and food system interventions by leveraging innovative financing instruments and social protection systems in ending hunger and malnutrition.