Global Women Leaders Advocate Gender Equality & Compassion at Youth Summit

Global women leaders, including former Vice President Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr and Ms. Asmita Satyarthi, united their voices at the Youth Summit’23 on Human Fraternity and Compassion in India. They passionately addressed the pressing need to bridge the gender divide and encouraged men to actively engage in this crucial dialogue.

The central theme of the gathering revolved around compassion, with a focus on women's roles in leadership. Ms. Asmita Satyarthi, Managing Trustee of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, highlighted the significance of male support for achieving gender equality. She lauded her mother's pivotal role alongside her father, underlining the importance of men standing beside women.

Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr furthered the discussion by drawing a parallel between women in leadership and the nurturing qualities of mothers. She explained that women in positions of power often consider everyone's needs, emphasizing the vital role women play in fostering compassion.

In the society, Dr. Nahla Al-Saeedi and youth icon Prajakta Koli shared their experiences and insights. Dr. Nahla underscored the importance of educational institutions in raising awareness of women's rights and supporting women in overcoming challenges. She emphasized that true societal prosperity hinges on equal contributions from both men and women.

Prajakta Koli, renowned as a social media content creator and for her collaboration with UNDP India on climate change, discussed her ability to influence her community through social media for tangible change. She equated compassion with equality, highlighting its paramount importance in addressing various societal issues.

The Youth Summit on Human Fraternity and Compassion spanned three days, taking place in Viratnagar, Rajasthan, from September 30th to October 2nd, 2023. The summit served as a platform for global thought leaders, youth influencers, pioneers of human fraternity, religious leaders, decision-makers, and change agents to converge.

Organized by the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC), a movement initiated by Kailash Satyarthi, the summit aimed to promote compassion across diverse facets of society, including education, business, and government. It also sought to foster intercultural and interreligious bridges while promoting global peace and understanding.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, a prestigious global award offering a monetary prize of USD 1 million, recognises and celebrates individuals and institutions dedicated to dismantling societal divisions and fortifying human connections.

This annual award ceremony aligned with the UN-recognized International Day of Human Fraternity observed on February 4th. The gathering of global women leaders and influencers underscored the urgency and significance of their message in constructing a more inclusive and equitable society.