NEW DELHI: Smriti Irani, Chairperson of the Alliance for Global Good: Gender Equity and Equality on Saturday took center stage at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, advocating for gender equity as a vital driver of global economic growth.
Irani, a former Union minister, highlighted the importance of gender parity not just as a societal necessity but also as a key factor in unlocking trillions in global GDP. “Gender equity is crucial for economic growth and could unlock trillions in global GDP,” she stated, emphasizing that integrating gender equity into global economic systems is essential for sustainable growth. Throughout the summit, she engaged with world leaders and industry figures, advocating for practical, measurable solutions to close the gender gap.
One of the key highlights of Irani’s participation in Davos was her meeting with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The two leaders focused on gender-responsive trade policies and the integration of women entrepreneurs into global value chains, a pivotal step towards empowering women in business.
Irani also had a productive discussion with Bill Gates, reinforcing the Alliance’s mission to create systemic change. The conversation centered on overcoming barriers in healthcare, digital skills, and leadership. Gates expressed strong support for the Alliance’s data-driven strategy and scalable solutions, crucial for empowering women globally.
Reflecting on the Alliance’s milestones, Irani met with Børge Brende, President of WEF, to highlight initiatives like the Commonwealth Partnership for gender-inclusive programmes and the South Asian Women in Energy (SAWIE) initiative. SAWIE aims to amplify women’s leadership in the energy sector, a vital area for advancing global sustainability.
A key moment at the summit was Irani’s leadership of the WEF session “Women at the Fulcrum of Global Economies”, co-hosted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The session explored the potential for women to control 50% of global wealth by 2030. Data presented during the session indicated that increasing women’s participation in the workforce could add an estimated $1.6-$2.3 trillion to global GDP, showcasing the immense economic potential of gender equity.
Irani’s commitment to driving measurable outcomes was evident in her collaborations with business leaders such as Phuthi Mahanyele Dabengwa, CEO of Naspers, and Naomi Morszeri, Senior VP at Salesforce. Together, they discussed the critical need to empower women with digital skills to lead in emerging sectors like technology and e-commerce.
Additionally, Irani prioritised healthcare, forging partnerships with organisations like GAVI and the Coalition for Health Innovation and Collaboration (CHIC) to improve healthcare access for underserved women globally.
At the Alliance’s “We-Lead Lounge”, Irani brought together stakeholders from various sectors to tackle the persistent gender gaps in leadership. The discussions focused on creating gender-inclusive policies and skilling initiatives, reinforcing the Alliance’s commitment to empowering women across all fields.
In her efforts to amplify women’s leadership stories, Irani collaborated with TIME Magazine’s Viktoria Degtar to shift global narratives and create new platforms for recognition. Irani stressed the importance of global cooperation, saying, “Our mission is to connect people worldwide and empower women in business, build their skillsets, and focus on their health and well-being.”
Irani also stressed upon initiatives launched this year, including a project aimed at empowering 100,000 women entrepreneurs in India, with plans for global expansion. Through these efforts, Irani continues to push for a future where women’s leadership drives economic growth, social change, and global cooperation.
