Bhubaneswar: A consultative workshop on Sustainable Development Goal-5 (Gender Equality): Reimagining Development through a Gender Lens – Inclusive, Safe, Sustainable was organised today by the Planning and Convergence Department, Government of Odisha in collaboration with UNDP at Hotel LYFE, Bhubaneswar.
The workshop aimed at deliberating on pressing development issues around gender equality with a multi-stakeholder approach, focusing on mobility and accessibility, women’s economic empowerment, gender-inclusive development, and community engagement.
Delivering the welcome address, Manish Agarwal, Additional Secretary, Planning and Convergence Department, highlighted the objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop.
In her opening remarks, Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP, underlined the importance of incorporating gender perspectives in the design and implementation of development policies and programmes.
In her keynote address, Anu Garg, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, outlined the state government’s key initiatives for women’s economic empowerment, gender-inclusive services, and community engagement. She noted that while significant progress has been made, there remains a need to further strengthen systems to achieve gender equality as envisaged in the Sustainable Development Goals.
The day-long workshop brought together government officials, UNDP representatives, academia, civil society organisations, SHG members, entrepreneurs and students.
Discussions during the four technical sessions covered diverse themes including safe and inclusive mobility, economic empowerment of women, gender-inclusive development interventions, and community advocacy.
Notable contributions came from experts and officials such as Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, DG, Fire Services & Civil Defence; Allagappan Ramanathan, UNDP Sustainable Transport Specialist; Rashmita Panda, Director, Employment; Monika Priyadarshini, Mission Shakti CEO; Subha Sharma, Principal Secretary, W&CD Department; Dr. Md. Noor, State Head, UNFPA; and Adyasha Satpathy, CEO of Dharitri and Odisha Post, among others.
The concluding panel, chaired by Prof. A.B. Ota, saw active participation from social activist Meera Parida and representatives from industry and grassroots organisations, who stressed on the importance of collective action in advancing gender equality.
The workshop was anchored by T. Ao, Special Secretary, Planning and Convergence Department, while Abha Mishra, Head of UNDP Odisha, summed up the key takeaways and delivered the vote of thanks.
