Prominent Women Leaders Call Upon Men to Help Bridge the Gender Divide

2 Minutes ReadViratnagar, October 1: In a resounding call to foster compassion and equality while bridging the gender gap, a distinguished group of global women leaders gathered at the inaugural Youth Summit'23 on Human Fraternity and Compassion in India. During the second day of the summit held in Viratnagar, Rajasthan, these leaders, including a former Vice President, emphasized the pressing need to establish a framework to address this social and economic disparity.   The esteemed women leaders who lent their voices to this crucial conversation included Ms. Asmita Satyarthi, Managing Trustee of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion; Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr, former Vice President of Costa Rica; Dr. Nahla Al-Saeedi, the first woman ever appointed as an advisor to His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Prof. Al Tayeb; and Ms. Prajakta Koli, Youth Climate Champion with UNDP India.   During the discussion, the central theme of compassion was underscored in the context of women in leadership roles. Ms. Asmita Satyarthi remarked, "Behind every successful man stands a woman, but my mother stood beside my father, and that makes me immensely proud of her. We need men to stand up with us." Expanding on the role of women in leadership, Dr. Epsy Campbell Barr likened it to that of a nurturing mother, saying, "Women's power in leadership is akin to that of a mother—a mother considers everyone and their needs." On the social front, Dr. Nahla and youth icon Prajakta Koli discussed their constant awareness of their positions and the influence they wield to use compassion as a catalyst for change. Dr. Nahla Al-Saeedi called upon educational institutions to raise awareness about women's rights and support them in overcoming challenges, stating, "A society cannot thrive without the equal contributions of men and women." Prajakta Koli, who works as a social media content creator and collaborates with UNDP India on climate change issues, expressed her ability to influence her community through social media to drive actionable change, adding, "For me, compassion means equality." The inaugural Youth Summit on Human Fraternity and Compassion is a three-day event taking place in Viratnagar, Rajasthan, from September 30th to October 2nd, 2023. This summit convenes global thought leaders, youth influencers, champions of human fraternity, religious leaders, decision-makers, and change agents to engage in discussions and exchange ideas on healing an increasingly divided world, guided by the principles of the Document on Human Fraternity, with a focus on globalizing compassion. The Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC) is a global initiative dedicated to igniting "Compassion in Action" worldwide, inspired by Kailash Satyarthi's four decades of revolutionary work as a social reformer. SMGC seeks to promote compassion across all sectors of society, from education to business and government, while also fostering connections between different cultures and religions and promoting peace and understanding worldwide. The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an independent global accolade that celebrates individuals and institutions committed to breaking down societal divisions and strengthening human connections. With a substantial monetary prize of USD 1 million, this annual award ceremony takes place on February 4th, in conjunction with the UN-recognized International Day of Human Fraternity.