UN Side Event: Jaya remembered on her 91st anniversary

ICNW-WWF’s virtual side event within the framework of the 61^st session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development #CSocD61 was a huge success with speakers underlining  the role of co-operatives in empowering women.

Hosted by the Working Women’s Forum and the Indian Cooperative Network for Women, the theme of the discussion was “The role of Young Women in Cooperatives in combating inequalities, enhancing productivity towards 2030 Global Agenda: Working Women’s Forum (India) – Indian Cooperative Network for Women”

In her address the President of ICNW and WWF Dr Nandini said that women participation in cooperatives contributes to their economic empowerment and equal participation in work” and is crucial to eliminating poverty and in strengthening the global economy.

The International Raiffeisen Union also applauded Nandini and said “well done” through a tweet. IRU Secretary General Andreas Kappes, who was one of the speakers said “equality is essential for ensuring that men and women can contribute fully at home, at work and in public life, for the betterment of societies and economies at large.”

Based on examples from India and Paraguay he further outlined that “cooperatives have a proven record as a suitable tool for effectively advancing women’s social and economic participation.”

The Keynote speaker Daniela Bas, Director, UNDESA and Department of Economic and Social Affairs, U.N. Headquarters, New York said the theme “The Role of Young Women in Cooperatives in Combating Inequalities, enhancing productivity towards 2030 Global Agenda: Working Women’s Forum- Indian Cooperative Network for Women” is very exciting.

Ms Daniel Bas further said that governments can design effective strategies to create and productive employment, particularly for women. Women are hardworking, and need to be protected which is why strategies should also include policies and measures that address vulnerabilities as well as ensure adequate protection for all workers. She highlighted that women in India have voices and representation in cooperatives, and commended the efforts of WWF-ICNW as well as their work during the pandemic.

Those who attended and spoke included Arnold Puech D’Alissac, President, World Farmers Organisation, Lana Zaman, Associate Sustainable Development Officer at U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs; Hirofumi Kobayashi, Executive Director, Institute for the Development of Agricultural Cooperation in Asia (IDACA) Japan, Faith Wayua, We Effect representative in Africa, and of course Andreas Kappes, Secretary General, The International Raiffeisen Union (IRU), Germany who spoke as a part of the panel.

The names of six women leaders from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka who have been chosen for the H.S. Jaya Arunachalam awards for 2022-23 were also announced, following the panel discussion. The event was to remember late Padmasri Dr Jaya Arunachalam on her 91st birth anniversary. Annual Awards in her name were given to the best women entrepreneurs in South India.

The global event with its nerve centre in Chennai was held for 75 minutes. “A proud moment for WWF that in 27 years in its UN – consultative status (UNECOSOC) it is the only Cooperative Network globally to win this recognition in the Cooperative sector. This is the iconic Women’s Mass Cooperative globally”, said Nandini Azad, the chief architect of the show.