27.09.2024 / Video

Address by the leader of the United Progressive Alliance of India Sonia Gandhi to the participants of the IV Eurasian Women's Forum.

Friends! Over the past ten years, the Eurasian Women's Forum has rightfully taken a special place as a platform for dialogue and discussions between women parliamentarians and opinion leaders on pressing global issues.

Its importance is growing as the world grapples with the challenges of global warming and climate change, growing inequality within and between countries, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, loss of livelihoods due to environmental destruction, and persistent violence, conflict and war. These issues are directly relevant to women’s daily lives, and women must work together to find sustainable solutions. The theme of the Fourth Eurasian Women’s Forum is Building Trust and Global Cooperation.

For decades, my country, India, has been a staunch supporter of this idea. Our constitution provides women with a wide range of rights and opportunities.

Women have taken on leadership roles in some areas, such as environmental activists, health infrastructure mobilization, civil liberties, legal aid, and informal sector mobilization.

Women play a key and significant role in social and economic transformation in India. Many of them have made important contributions in the international arena as well. Women in Eurasia have also achieved success in these areas. I hope that both formal and informal contacts established at such events will be maintained and will become effective channels of communication, problem solving and resolution. I regret that I cannot attend the Forum in person and convey my greetings and best wishes to the Chairperson Ms. Valentina Matvienko, Member of Parliament Ms. Elena Afanasyeva and all participants.

Thank you.