The Ministry of Women and Child Development convened the first Preparatory Meeting of the BRICS Women’s Working Group on April 30, 2026, in virtual mode, under India’s BRICS Presidency.
The meeting brought together representatives from BRICS member countries, along with various Ministries and Departments of the Government of India. Knowledge partners including UN Women and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) also participated in the deliberations.
Setting the Agenda
Ms. Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, welcomed all delegates and set the tone for the discussions. She emphasised India’s commitment to fostering collaboration among BRICS nations on critical issues affecting women globally.
Four Priority Areas for Action
Guided by the theme of India’s BRICS chairship – ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability’ – the meeting featured intensive discussions on key themes and common concerns of women worldwide. These were distilled into four priority areas:
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Women in governance and leadership
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Financial and digital inclusion
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Women’s entrepreneurship and skill development
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Women’s role in climate action, food security, and nutrition
The discussions reaffirmed India’s commitment to encouraging women-led development, recognising women as key drivers of economic growth, governance, and social transformation.
BRICS Members Welcome India’s Initiatives
BRICS member nations, in their interventions, congratulated India on its chairship and welcomed and supported the priority areas, imbibing the spirit of cooperation and mutual learning. The collaborative atmosphere underscored the shared commitment across member countries to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Roadmap Ahead: Key Meetings in Kochi
The deliberations from this preparatory meeting will contribute towards key outcomes to be culminated in the upcoming:
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BRICS Women Working Group Meeting – July 6–7, 2026
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BRICS Women Ministerial Meeting – July 8–9, 2026
Both meetings are scheduled to be held in Kochi, Kerala, where further concrete action points and joint declarations are expected to be finalised.
