The growing acknowledgment of women’s pivotal role in driving economic advancement, fostering groundbreaking ideas, and achieving sustainable progress is sweeping across the globe. This understanding is particularly pronounced within the BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – and their expanding network of partner countries (BRICS+). We are seeing the emergence of specific initiatives designed to address the underrepresentation of women in crucial sectors, especially in the rapidly evolving fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and entrepreneurship. These endeavors transcend the mere pursuit of gender balance; they aim to unlock a vast reservoir of untapped potential and leverage diverse perspectives to address intricate global challenges.
One notable advancement in this area is the launch of the BRICS CCI WE WISE (Women in Innovation, Science & Entrepreneurship) initiative by the Women Empowerment Vertical of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Unveiled during the BRICS Women Business Alliance Annual Plenary Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, WE WISE stands as a global program meticulously crafted to champion women’s leadership in innovation, science, and entrepreneurship across the BRICS+ nations. The initiative strategically empowers women to assume leadership positions in technology, with a specific focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its application in constructing a sustainable global economy. This timely concentration on AI is particularly pertinent given its transformative potential and the critical need to ensure equitable access to its advantages. The program underscores mentorship, collaboration, and inclusive innovation as fundamental pillars for achieving success. The goal is to cultivate an ecosystem where women are not only participants but also influential drivers of technological advancement.
Alongside WE WISE, a range of complementary programs is reinforcing this forward momentum. The Vital Voices Global Fellowship (VVGF) serves as a prime example, uniting women leaders from diverse fields to enhance their skills, nurture collaboration, and facilitate the exchange of ideas. Although not exclusively focused on BRICS nations, this fellowship aligns seamlessly with the broader objective of empowering women globally and creating a supportive network for those driving meaningful change. Similarly, the BRICS CCI WE Global Women Leadership Programme, championed by President Ruby Sinha, offers world-class mentorship, training, and valuable resources to women professionals and entrepreneurs. This program solidifies the BRICS CCI’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership in the global business arena. The recent convocation ceremony of the 2nd Edition of this program, held in association with Nippon Paint India, underscores the continuous investment in cultivating the next generation of female leaders. This commitment is further substantiated by a recent whitepaper released by BRICS CCI WE, which urgently calls for concrete action, advocating for 33% women inclusion, fair financing, and policy reforms to establish long-term, inclusive gender equity across BRICS nations. These initiatives collectively aim to dismantle systemic barriers and create pathways for women to thrive in leadership roles.
The imperative for such initiatives is clearly highlighted by the broader context of global economic development. India, for example, stands on the cusp of significant growth in its services sector, presenting numerous opportunities across tourism, healthcare, telecom, and information technology. However, fully realizing this potential requires a highly skilled workforce, and actively engaging women in these sectors is of paramount importance. Government initiatives such as the Smart Cities Mission, with its focus on sustainable development and smart technologies, also greatly benefit from the inclusion of diverse perspectives and innovative solutions that women can bring to the table. Moreover, the increasing significance of digital entrepreneurship, as emphasized by institutions like the Maharaja Surajmal Institute, necessitates equipping women with the skills and resources required to excel in the digital economy. The MSDE-Microsoft partnership, designed to launch skill training in AI for women, offering certification, internships, and job opportunities, is a direct and impactful response to this pressing need. Furthermore, initiatives like the eWTP, initially launched in Malaysia, demonstrate a dedication to facilitating trade and entrepreneurship, which can be further enhanced by prioritizing women’s participation. Even sectors that may appear unrelated, such as the work of BIRAC in expanding the influence of women in the biotech sector, demonstrate a broader trend of acknowledging and supporting female leadership across a wide spectrum of fields. These interconnected efforts are working to create a more inclusive and equitable global economy.
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