'Dev agenda chance to double efforts on Women's empowerment'

India has stressed that the ambitious post 2015-development agenda presents a unique opportunity for the international community to re-double its commitment to women's economic and political empowerment.
"Economic, political and social empowerment of women is a sine qua non to achieving the agreed development goals and attaining sustainable development," First Secretary in the Indian mission here Mayank Joshi said at a high level thematic debate on 'Advancing Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women and Girls for a Transformative Post-2015 Development Agenda' here yesterday.
A fundamental key to development process is ensuring equal partnership among all women, girls, men and boys.

He emphasised India's conviction that the post-2015 development agenda presents a "unique opportunity for the international community to re-double its commitment to women's economic and political empowerment, and inclusive and equitable quality education as a pre-requisite to achieving sustainable development."
With the Sustainable Development Goals in place, Joshi said the need of the hour is "political will" to act decisively and implement the post-2015 development agenda with the imperative of gender equality and empowerment at the heart of nations' efforts.
Joshi said experience from the Millennium Development Goals shows that gender equality, women's empowerment and promotion and protection of women's rights catalyse a shift in societies towards economic development, social stability and promotes greater equilibrium between societies and nature.

"Gender equality and women's empowerment is a cross-cutting theme that impinges on our goals for eradication of poverty and sustainable development," he said.

"Mainstreaming a gender perspective into relevant aspects of the development agenda is therefore critical for accelerated progress in achievement of all other development goals," he added.
The international community must also recognise that women are the worst affected by poverty and lack of economic opportunities and should be the first beneficiaries of inclusive development.
"A robust development-centric agenda that reduces poverty, improves education, boosts inclusive economic growth, promotes resilient infrastructure, and accelerates access to modern energy and enabling use of ICT is the best guarantee for women's empowerment," he said.

Joshi highlighted the measures taken by India to ensure women empowerment.
The Indian government's latest initiative of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' aims at ensuring safety and quality education for girls.