DAVOS, Jan 27:
Smriti Irani, Chairperson of the Alliance for Global Good Gender Equity and Equality, has emerged as a transformative leader, spearheading several important initiatives on the Gender Equity and Equality agenda during the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 held in Davos. She is advocating for gender equity as a vital component for driving global economic growth and social advancement.
With an emphasis on actionable solutions, Ms. Irani’s leadership at the summit highlighted the ethical necessity of gender parity and presented its compelling business case. Through high-profile interactions with global leaders, industry giants, and media influencers, she championed the integration of gender equity into worldwide economic structures. Her message was powerful and clear: Gender equity transcends societal aspirations; it is an economic imperative that can potentially unlock trillions in global GDP.
During a significant meeting with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Ms. Irani explored innovative policy frameworks, such as gender-responsive trade agreements and the inclusion of women entrepreneurs in global value chains. This conversation established the basis for cooperative solutions, leveraging Singapore’s policy expertise alongside the grassroots momentum of the Alliance.
An impactful session with Bill Gates further emphasized the Alliance’s mission to initiate systematic change. Together, they examined collaborative strategies to overcome obstacles in healthcare, digital education, and leadership. Mr. Gates voiced strong support for the Alliance’s data-centric strategy, stressing the importance of scalable solutions that yield measurable impact.
Ms. Irani’s discussion with Børge Brende, President of WEF, served as a reflective point, showcasing the Alliance’s successes since its establishment in 2024. She highlighted significant accomplishments, including the Commonwealth Partnership focused on gender-inclusive programs and the SAWIE (South Asian Women in Energy) initiative, which seeks to elevate women’s leadership in the energy sector.
Her leadership was particularly notable during WEF sessions that combined data-driven insights with inspiring narratives of resilience. The panel titled “Women at the Fulcrum of Global Economies,” moderated by Ms. Irani in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, underscored the projection that women will control 50% of global wealth by 2030 and the need to harness their potential by incorporating women into the workforce. Data indicates that this could add between $1.6 and $2.3 trillion to global GDP.
At the Alliance’s flagship “We-Lead Lounge,” Ms. Smriti Irani gathered global stakeholders to tackle significant gaps in leadership and representation within technology, healthcare, and sustainability. The discussions, which covered topics from the future of work to women’s participation in climate action, resulted in firm commitments to skilling programs and policies promoting gender inclusivity.
A signature aspect of Ms. Irani’s approach was her emphasis on measurable outcomes. Collaborations with business leaders like Naspers CEO Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa and Salesforce SVP Naomi Morenzoni concentrated on empowering women with digital skills to thrive in emerging fields such as technology and e-commerce. These dialogues set the stage for long-term initiatives aimed at integrating women into the digital economy.
Ms. Smriti Irani also prioritized advancements in healthcare, working with organizations such as GAVI and the Coalition for Health Innovation and Collaboration (CHIC) to improve access for underserved women worldwide.
Acknowledging the significant role of media in driving systemic change, Ms. Irani partnered with TIME Magazine’s Viktoria Degtar and others to highlight stories of women’s leadership. These initiatives are designed to ensure that women’s contributions are recognized globally, altering narratives and creating inclusive platforms for acknowledgment. At Davos 2025, Smriti Irani showcased a results-driven approach to promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, solidifying the Alliance’s role as a global catalyst for gender equity and establishing a practical, scalable model for economic and social transformation.
About the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality
The Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality is a pioneering initiative launched by India at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 in Davos, Switzerland. It embodies Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Women-led Development.” Backed by WEF, CII, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and over 10,000 industry partners, including Tata, Bayer, Uber, and Mastercard, the Alliance strives to encourage global cooperation in women’s health, education, and entrepreneurship. Anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership, the initiative builds upon commitments outlined in the G20 Leaders’ Declaration and resonates with India’s ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” With WEF as a network partner and Invest India as an institutional partner, the Alliance is positioned to drive meaningful change through best practices, investments, and knowledge sharing, furthering inclusive growth and bridging gender gaps on a global scale.
About Smriti Irani
Smriti Zubin Irani is a seasoned politician and social activist with more than two decades of experience in public service. As a three-time Member of Parliament, she gained national attention by making history in 2019 when she defeated the then-Congress President in Amethi, a constituency historically regarded as a Congress stronghold. She has held multiple key positions in the Union Cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including Women & Child Development, Minority Affairs (as the first non-Muslim Minister), Human Resource Development, Information & Broadcasting, and Textiles. Renowned for her commitment to policy reform and inclusivity, she was India’s youngest Cabinet Minister in Modi 1.0 and 2.0 and the first woman to head the HRD and Textiles Ministries. She has represented India at global forums, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2015. Smriti Irani is actively involved in advocacy for gender equity, disability inclusion, and women’s empowerment.
(Disclaimer: The above press release is provided under an arrangement with Newsvoir, and PTI assumes no editorial responsibility for its content.)(PTI)
