Odisha Champions Gender Equality with Groundbreaking Workshop on SDG-5

Bhubaneswar, September 12,  — In a bold stride toward inclusive development, the Planning and Convergence Department of the Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hosted a consultative workshop titled “Reimagining Development through a Gender Lens – Inclusive, Safe, Sustainable.”

Held at Hotel LYFE, Bhubaneswar, the workshop spotlighted Sustainable Development Goal-5 (Gender Equality), bringing together policymakers, civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, and academics to chart a transformative path for gender-inclusive progress.

Development Commissioner Ms. Anu Garg (IAS) opened the event with a compelling keynote on Odisha’s advancements in women’s empowerment and the need for systemic reinforcement.

UNDP’s Isabelle Tschan emphasised integrating gender perspectives into policy frameworks, while UNFPA’s Dr. Md. Noor presented Odisha’s gender ranking, revealing both progress and persistent gaps.

The workshop featured four dynamic sessions:

• Mobility and Accessibility for All: Chaired by Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi (IPS), this session explored safe transport solutions, with UNDP’s Allagappan Ramanathan sharing insights from Tamil Nadu’s bus route safety study.
• Economic Empowerment of Women: Entrepreneur Bindhya Basini inspired attendees with her journey as a “Lakhpati Didi,” highlighting the power of grassroots entrepreneurship.
• Gender-Inclusive Development: Led by Ms. Subha Sharma, this session tackled socio-cultural barriers and systemic support mechanisms.
• Community Engagement and Advocacy: Media leader Adyasha Satpathy underscored the role of gender-sensitive journalism and civil society in shaping inclusive narratives.

The closing panel, chaired by Prof. A.B. Ota (IAS Retd.), called for bottom-up strategies to embed gender equity in Odisha’s development blueprint. UNDP Odisha Head Ms. Abha Mishra concluded with a call for deeper collaboration and stronger gender integration across sectors.

With diverse participation from government bodies, SHGs, students, and NGOs, the workshop reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to building a future where gender equality is not just a goal—but a lived reality.