South Asia should move forward through agricultural development: Prof. Sikri

The inauguration of the fifth annual South Asia Women’s Network conference was held yesterday with the participation of delegates from nine South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan Maldives andMyanmar.

The conference, where Basil Rajapakse, the Minister of Economic Development was the chief guest, focused on gender equi- ty for peace and sustainable development.

Speaking at the conference, the convener of the South Asia Women’s Network, Professor Veena Sikri from India, pointed out that the path to a prosperous future was through sustainable development and ‘green’ economical policies.

To reach these goals, development of the rural economy was vital, she explained. The way for South Asian region to move forward was through agricultural development, while protecting the environment and the biodiversity, Sikri said.

“Since women are guiding the destiny of South Asia and are at the centre of tradition and culture, they need to be given an important role in the efforts to achieve a green economy,” she added. “They bear the biggest burden of unsustainable development, poverty, war and conflict.”

Sikri also said that women needed to be given their equal role and place in society to establish a new social and political order with business growth, educational progress and peace.

Meanwhile, the Guest of Honour at the event, Doctor Savithri Gunasekara, former Vice Chancellor, highlighted that the concept of networking was at the forefront of the social, political and economical change.

According to her, gender disparity, discrimination and inequality prevalent especially in the South Asian region posed a significant challenge for social progress and economical growth.

“The business sector is critically important to eliminate inequality and discrimination in our region and to address issues based on the gender gap,” Gunasekara said. “The corporations need to partner up with the state to promote equal rights and sustainable development,” she urged, adding that more than half the women in the world were affected by discrimination.

She also said that pushing women backwards hindered market and economic development as well as stalling political and social progress.