Permanent Mission of India
Geneva

30th session of the Human Rights Council
(14 September-02 October 2015)
Agenda Item 3: Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanisms with a focus on gender parity
( 15 September 2015)
Statement by H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to UN & Other International Organizations

Mr. President,

1. India welcomes the holding of this annual discussion with a focus on gender parity. We thank the distinguished panelists for their illuminating ideas. India reiterates its support for integrating gender perspectives throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms.
2. The 20th anniversary of our commitments made in Beijing in 1995, the elaboration of Post-2015 Development Agenda and the High Level review in the area of women, peace and security, together provide us with an unprecedented and historic opportunity to revitalize our efforts for achieving gender equality and, indeed, gender parity.

3. India firmly believes that women are equal partners and agents of sustainable socio-economic change and development. The principle of gender equality is firmly enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which also provides for affirmative action for empowering women. Mainstreaming of gender perspectives in legislations, policies and programmes for development is a high priority. Gender budgeting has been institutionalized in our annual budget. Over 1.3 million Indian women at the grassroots level have been brought into political decision-making through 33 % reservation for women in local governance. Some states have raised reservation level to 50% for wider participation.

4. Education for all and poverty eradication are at the heart of India's efforts to overcome gender gaps and obstacles in development. The Prime Minister's nationwide multi-sectoral initiative "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao - Save the Girl Child, Educate Her -" launched early this year, aims at addressing the declining child sex ratio and targeting discrimination against women in a life cycle continuum. Awareness raising and advocacy and mindset change are pivotal elements of this campaign. Government also mandated all educational institutions to appoint Gender Champions amongst the students to create an environment that fosters equal gender treatment acknowledging that positive social norms and change the mode of interaction at all levels like home, schools, colleges, university, workplace, etc. are important for long-term and sustainable social change.

5. Among many programmes that strengthen financial inclusion for women is the establishment of Bharatiya Mahila Bank, our first all-Women's Bank to assist women entrepreneurs and launching a small deposit scheme Sukanya Samridhi Yojna - the Girl Child Prosperity scheme, for the girl child. An important aspect in empowerment and development of women is the enhanced use of enabling technologies, in particular information and communications technology in education, healthcare, clean drinking water, and energy, to significantly empower their role as force-multipliers in society and bring about structural transformation in the lives of millions of women across the world. This is why our dream of a "Digital India" envisages equal skill development opportunities for women in the IT sector. Mother and Child Tracking system is an innovative way to utilize ICT for targeted health and nutrition services.

Mr. President,

6. A development-centered and poverty elimination-focused agenda, therefore, is the first premise for promoting women's empowerment and strengthening their legitimate place in the society in parity with men. In this context, we would like to ask the esteemed panelists how can the UN ensure that gender parity and social equality are part of its poverty reduction and development agenda.

I thank you Mr. President.

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