BRICS key to advancing women’s leadership: Minister Annapurna Devi

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Thursday (July 9, 2026) said cooperation and knowledge sharing among BRICS nations were vital to advancing women as entrepreneurs, innovators and decision-makers.

She was addressing the concluding session of the BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting in Kochi.

“The thematic discussions and dialogue between our delegations highlighted the importance of cooperation and knowledge sharing among BRICS countries,” she said.

The Minister said the deliberations also highlighted efforts to expand economic opportunities for women and promote digital and financial inclusion across member countries.

“While strengthening women’s leadership, we are continuously working to move forward as entrepreneurs, innovators, and decision-makers for women,” she said.

Noting that BRICS countries came from diverse geographical, social, economic and cultural backgrounds, she said they shared many common challenges relating to women, making the Ministerial Forum an important platform for dialogue.

“Although we all come from different geographical, social, economic, and cultural backgrounds, there are many issues related to women that are common in our countries. This underscores how important the BRICS Women Ministerial Forum is for advancing dialogue on shared concerns,” she said.

Stressing the need for greater investment in women, Ms. Devi said, “Investment in women’s empowerment is not just a question of social justice, but also a mandatory condition for inclusive and sustainable development.” Referring to an exhibition showcasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of women-led development, she said products made by women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) demonstrated the transformative impact of empowering women.

“The products prepared by the women of SHGs and their enterprises are a powerful proof that when women get opportunities, resources, and trust, they take not only their families but also society and the economy to new heights,” she said.

The Minister also thanked member countries for adopting the BRICS Women Ministerial Joint Statement, describing it as “a historic milestone” that would “give a new direction to the discourse related to women” within BRICS.

She said the meeting, which included a cultural programme and a gala dinner, provided an opportunity for informal interactions among delegates, helping to strengthen friendship and mutual understanding, and expressed confidence that the exchange of ideas during the meeting would further deepen BRICS cooperation in the years ahead.

Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur and Ministry of Women and Child Development Secretary Anil Malik also addressed the occasion.

The two-day meeting, attended by delegates from 11 BRICS member countries, concluded on Thursday (July 9, 2026).

BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Indonesia joined the grouping in 2025.

India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi in September this year.

As part of its BRICS presidency, India is hosting a series of meetings across the country in the run-up to the summit.