What an amazing experience to accompany this vibrant and dynamic group of MPs that also included @sasmitpatra ji, @sanyaVseth @Arvinn @undissingh

Met and submitted a representation to Hon’ble Union Minister for WCD, Smt. Annapurna Devi ji, seeking an immediate upward revision of honorarium & incentives for Anganwadi Workers & Helpers under Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0. With the last revision done in 2018, the cost of living has risen sharply, while their responsibilities; from the POSHAN Tracker to digital reporting, have expanded significantly. As the backbone of India's maternal & child healthcare, especially in rural & tribal Odisha, their remuneration must reflect their invaluable service. Urged the Ministry to set up a Review Committee to evaluate inflation, enhance performance incentives & provide special allowances for difficult & aspirational districts. Empowering our frontline workers is a strategic investment in a healthier India. #AnganwadiWorkers #PoshanAbhiyaan #WomenEmpowerment #ChildWelfare #Odisha #PublicHealth

From Oslo to the Arctic Circle! 🇳🇴 After an incredibly productive series of engagements in Oslo,, we the Indian Parliamentary Delegation are in the beautiful north - Tromso. We are here to engage with new ideas in this unique, stunning Arctic setting and are looking forward to more deeply engaging and impactful brainstorming sessions. Being here drives home a powerful truth: protecting the Arctic isn't just a regional issue; it’s a global necessity. What happens in the Arctic directly impacts climate systems everywhere, including back home in India. Excited for the insights and discussions ahead. 🇮🇳🤝🇳🇴 @norwayinindia | @unwomenindia #Tromso #Norway #ArcticCircle #ClimateChange #GlobalExchange #InternationalRelations #TeamIndia #OsloToTromso #ArticResearch

Understanding Ecological Vulnerability: Insights from Polaria and Arctic Climate Science. During our delegation tour, had the opportunity to visit Polaria, the Arctic Experience Centre, which is deeply dedicated to sharing critical knowledge about the Arctic and promoting the sustainable management of this highly unique and vulnerable region. The visit emphasized the global strategic importance of the Arctic while underscoring the severe challenges it faces from climate change and intensifying environmental pressures. Key Elements of the Experience: •⁠ ⁠Immersive Ecological Understanding: Gaining a deeper, hands-on perspective of the complex northern ecosystems and their delicate balances. •⁠ ⁠Marine Conservation: Observing Arctic marine life up close to understand how shifts in sea temperatures and ice levels ripple across the global food chain and climate systems. Protecting these vital, climate-regulating ecosystems requires unified global awareness and evidence-based policy. 🇮🇳🤝🇳🇴 #Polaria #ClimateChange #ArcticConservation #Sustainability #EnvironmentalPolicy #NorwayInIndia #UNWomen #GlobalAction @norwayinindia | @unwomenindia

Thank you @UN_Women and to everyone who welcomed the delegation for making the visit to Oslo so insightful and engaging🤝 (2/2) @oslokommune @OsloMet @norwayindia @Arvinn

After visiting Oslo, the delegation of Indian Parliamentarians will now travel north to engage with new ideas in a unique Arctic setting!🌞🏔️(1/2) @Utenriksdept @UniOslo @Stortinget @sasmitpatra @kjsehrawat @sribharatm @ByreddyShabari @RoopkumariBJP @Bijuli_KMedhi @tanujpuniaINC

Today, on the sidelines of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation Knowledge Exchange Tour ; thoughtfully organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (@NorwayInIndia) and @unwomenindia, we had the opportunity to visit a Norwegian Kindergarten. In Norway, the kindergarten system is not just about early education; it is a foundational pillar of their gender equality model. Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood care ensures that caregiving responsibilities are equitably balanced rather than falling disproportionately on one parent, enabling both parents to fully participate in the workforce. Key Takeaways from the Visit: •⁠ ⁠Child-Centred Development: Experiencing firsthand how Norway seamlessly integrates care, play, and learning within a safe, inclusive environment. •⁠ ⁠Economic Empowerment: Observing how accessible childcare directly drives women's labor force participation by fostering a sustainable balance between professional and family life. Studying these successful models offers invaluable perspectives on how robust social policy can drive both human development and economic empowerment. #NorwayInIndia #UNWomen #GenderEquality #EarlyChildhoodEducation #PublicPolicy #WorkLifeBalance #SocialInfrastructure #IndianParliamentaryDelegation

At the steps of the Royal Palace, Oslo. 🇮🇳🇳🇴 A proud moment with my Parliamentary colleagues and senior leadership of UN Women ; where diplomacy, democracy, and the shared pursuit of a more equal world came together. Grateful for every conversation on this visit. The work continues... #DrSasmitPatra #RoyalPalaceOslo #UNWomen #IndiaNorway #ParliamentaryDiplomacy #Oslo #IndianParliamentaryDelegation @unwomenindia | @NorwayInIndia

Today, on the sidelines of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation Knowledge Exchange Tour organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (@NorwayInIndia) and @unwomenindia, I had the privilege of visiting the University of Oslo (UiO). As Norway’s oldest and most prestigious research institution, UiO is globally renowned for its profound contributions to public policy, sustainability & social sciences, playing a pivotal role in informing modern governance and international cooperation. It was a pleasure having highly insightful discussions with the University's leadership and distinguished faculty ; Rector Ragnhild Hennum , Hanne-Gerd Nielsen & Francesca Refsum Jensenius. Engaging with such esteemed minds offers invaluable insights into building resilient public policies, fostering evidence-based decision-making, and strengthening sustainable global frameworks. 🇮🇳🇳🇴 #IndiaNorway #IndianParliamentaryDelegation #PublicPolicy #Sustainability #HigherEducation #UiO @kjsehrawat @SMathukumi72585 @ByreddyShabari @RoopkumariBJP @Bijuli_KMedhi @tanujpuniaINC

Honoured to be part of the Indian Parliamentary delegation to Norway for a Knowledge Exchange Tour, organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (@norwayinindia) & @unwomenindia. 🇮🇳🇳🇴 Our visit will focus on studying Norway’s progressive institutions and policies that drive gender equality and women’s leadership in public life ; both foundational to robust socio-economic development. Following the landmark India-EFTA trade agreement, this exchange will also feature vital dialogues with Norwegian businesses. Our goal is to unlock strategic investment opportunities in India's high-priority sectors, including renewable energy and the circular economy. Looking forward to impactful bilateral dialogues and strengthening the enduring cooperation between our nations. #IndiaNorway #ParliamentaryDelegation #GenderEquality #RenewableEnergy #BilateralTrade #EFTA @kjsehrawat @SMathukumi72585 @ByreddyShabari @RoopkumariBJP @Bijuli_KMedhi @tanujpuniaINC

On the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we recognise India as one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN Peacekeeping operations globally. (1/4)

Smt. Baby Rani Maurya, Hon’ble Minister of Women's Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Government of Uttar Pradesh delivered the keynote address, and actively engaged with the conversation on women and leadership. @UPMahilaKalyan @babyranimaurya @kantasingh_ @MinistryWCD

UN Women India is scaling SheLeads to states. SheLeads Uttar Pradesh was held on May 14, 2026 and May 15, 2026 with 42 women leaders from 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh participating in the two day residential workshop, in Lucknow.

📢  The 2026 India Awards are now open for applications!     🏆 There are awards across 6 categories, 3 SME Champion recognitions, and 3 special mentions up for grabs - recognising businesses advancing gender equality in leadership, the workplace, community, and more. (1/2)

A UN Women bond renewed on Indian soil. It was a real pleasure to welcome Shoko Ishikawa, the new Head of @unwomenindia, to my residence, along with @kantasingh_, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India. Shoko and I go back to our UN Women days, when she was a valued colleague in the Regional Office during my tenure with the organisation. It was heart-warming to reconnect — not only as former colleagues, but as members of the same UN Women family, bound by a shared commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. As she begins this important assignment in India, I wish her every success in advancing the mandate of UN Women in a country where Nari Shakti is at the heart of transformative change, inclusive development and the journey towards Viksit Bharat. A warm welcome to India, Shoko — and every good wish for a meaningful and impactful tenure.

On the eve of Panchayati Raj Diwas, @UN_Women & Samarthan undertook the #MANTHAN field exercise in Sehore, MP, to explore gender-responsive governance at the grassroots. @mopr_goi @MinistryWCD @FinMinIndia @NIRDPR_India @MoRD_GoI

Privileged to represent the Government of Delhi at the NITI Aayog Workshop on SDG 5: Gender Equality hosted at IIM Ahmedabad, in collaboration with Gates Foundation and Government of Gujarat. This platform gave me an opportunity to share how Delhi’s Anganwadi Centres are evolving far beyond their traditional role — emerging as integrated hubs and convergence points for women-led development at the grassroots. From economic empowerment and skill building to social inclusion, these centres are delivering holistic equality where it matters most at the last mile. Gender equality is not a standalone goal. It is the foundation on which sustainable development is built. When women are economically independent, socially respected and politically heard communities transform. Grateful to @NITIAayog and @IIMAhmedabad for convening this important dialogue and bringing together policymakers and development partners to strengthen evidence-based, locally grounded action. Thanks @kantasingh_ for bringing her valuable experience from UN in moderating the session. #WomenLedDevelopment. #SDG5 #iima #WomenLedDevelopment #nitiaayog

UN Women India Country Representative Shoko Ishikawa and Deputy Country Representative Kanta Singh met with the high level delegation from Bonn, including Andrey Pogrebnyak and Elise Bouvet, for an insightful exchange on advancing youth empowerment and gender equality.

UN Women was honoured to be invited to the NITI-SSM Workshop on SDG5 in Ahmedabad, where policymakers, experts and development partners discussed evidence-informed and locally contextualised pathways for advancing WomenLedDevelopment.

Had an insightful discussion with high level delegation from Bonn on advancing Youth empowerment and meaningful engagement. Explored pathways for inclusive participation, stronger collaboration and sustainable impact. @UNVolunteers @UNV_India @ToilyKurbanov @unwomenindia