Consultative Workshop on Reimagining Development through a Gender Lens – Inclusive, Safe, Sustainable held

Bhubaneswar 12/09/2025:A Consultative Workshop on Sustainable Development Goal-5(Gender Equality): Reimagining Development through a Gender Lens – Inclusive, Safe, Sustainable, was organised by the Planning and Convergence Department, Government of Odisha in collaboraƟon with UNDP at Hotel LYFE, Bhubaneswar on 12th September 2025.

The objecƟve of the workshop was to deliberate on pressing development issues of Gender Equality in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 through mobility and accessibility; women’s economic empowerment; gender inclusive development intervenƟons; in a mulƟ-stakeholder approach.

Shri.  Manish Agarwal, IAS,  AddiƟonal  Secretary,  P&C Department, presented the welcome address, sharing the objecƟve,    outline, and the expected outcomes of the workshop. Ms. Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident RepresentaƟve, UNDP, in her opening address, discussed the importance of gender perspecƟve in designing and implemenƟng development programmes and policies.

In her keynote address, Ms.  Anu Garg,  IAS,  Development Commissioner-  cum -ACS,  GoO highlighted the key iniƟaƟves being taken by various concerned departments of the State Government in areas of women’s economic empowerment, gender inclusive services, and community engagement in the State of Odisha.  She said a lot more work has been done, and also, there is a need for more to be done in further strengthening systems to achieve gender equality as envisaged in the SDG.

The workshop covered mulƟfaceted themes of gender equality across four sessions during the day. The first session on “Mobility and Accessibility for All” emphasized a safe environment for women in all spheres of society with a gender-sensitive approach. The session was chaired by  Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, IPS, DG, Fire Services & CG, HGs & Director, Civil Defence, Odisha. Mr. Allagappan  Ramanathan,  Development Goals Specialist,  Sustainable  Transport  & Mobility, UNDP, presented about the gender sensiƟve,  safe, and inclusive space and study on Women’s safety and access on 10 bus routes, ciƟng examples in Tamilnadu. Other dignitaries include Dr. N. Thirumala  Naik, VC, BDA, MD, CRUT & MD, BSCL, Ms. Bisakha Bhanja, NAWO, Prof. Noor Mallik, State Programme Analyst, UNFPA, who were present and parƟcipated in the panel discussion in session-1.

The second session on “Economic Empowerment of Women” started with a real-life experience sharing by a successful woman entrepreneur, Lakhpati Didi Ms. Bindhya Basini from the district of Rayagada. The session highlighted the key issues and challenges for an equitable world of work with the parƟcipaƟon of more and more women in the workforce. Mr. Amit Kumar, Head(Inclusive  Growth), UNDP, chaired the session, whereas Ms.  Rashmita Panda,  Director, Employment, Ms.  Monika Priyadarshini of State Mission  Director –cum-CEO, Mission ShakƟ, along with other resource persons, deliberated upon issues and challenges of engagement, employment opportuniƟes, entrepreneurship, skill development, and financial inclusion.

The importance of “Gender-Inclusive  Development” was the key theme of the third session, which focused on the social and cultural barriers in striking a balance in the development canvas. Dr. Md. Noor, State Head, UNFPA, presented about Overview of Odisha’s Gender Rank –challenges and opportuniƟes. Ms. Subha Sharma, Principal Secy, W&CD  DepƩ, Odisha, chaired the panel discussion held in this session. Ms. Parul Patwa, Director, SSEPD, and other noted speakers from Odisha and different insƟtuƟons participated in a discussion held on key issues about challenges faced by women, socio-cultural and economic barriers, and systemic support.

Session 4 of the workshop highlighted Community engagement and  Advocacy. Ms. Adyasha Satpathy, CEO of Dharitri and Odisha Post dailies, deliberated on Gender –sensitive reporting in which she focused that Women’s voices are represented in Media, including their economic upliŌment and other gender sensiƟve issues. The session brought out a sƟmulaƟng discussion on the bigger role of the civil society and the grassroots organizations in achieving gender equality through a boƩom-up approach.

The panel discussion in the closing session was chaired by Prof. A.B.Ota, IAS(Retd.), including Ms. Meera Parida, Social AcƟvist and other noted speakers from industries and organizations.

The workshop was anchored by Shri T Ao, IAS, Special Secretary to the Government, P&C Department. Ms.  Abha Mishra,  Head-UNDP Odisha, summarised the key takeaways of these sessions for strengthening the gender inclusivity in the development sector of the State, with a vote of thanks.

RepresentaƟves of Govt officials, Odisha UNDP official, academia, intellectuals, students, SHG members, entrepreneurs, ciƟzen society, professionals, etc. were present and parƟcipated in the discussion.