The IRU proudly participated in the 63rd session of the UN Commission for Social Development (UNCSocD) in Chennai, an event that brought together global cooperative leaders, policymakers, and grassroots women entrepreneurs to discuss the crucial link between financial inclusion and gender equality.
IRU Secretary-General Andreas Kappes highlighted the essential role of women’s leadership in cooperatives, emphasizing that empowering women within the cooperative movement is key to sustainable economic transformation. As the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 is ongoing, he reaffirmed cooperatives’ special ability to strengthening women’s social and economic situations worldwide.
Dr Nandini Azad
The event, hosted by the Working Women’s Forum and the Indian Cooperative Network for Women (WWF-ICNW), was hosted and opened by Dr. Nandini Azad, President of WWF-ICNW and an esteemed IRU Global Board Member. Dr. Azad’s leadership and advocacy ensured that grassroots women, particularly those from the informal sector in BRICS and G20 countries, had a platform to voice their concerns and challenges at the international level. Her tireless efforts in championing gender-inclusive financial policies continue to inspire cooperative leaders worldwide.
Discussions at the event focused on:
✅ Integrating financial inclusion with gender equality
✅ Strengthening cooperative networks for women entrepreneurs
✅ The impact of climate change on gender dynamics in rural economies
✅ Policy advocacy and capacity building for women in agriculture
A special thanks to Dr. Nandini Azad for her invaluable contributions to this initiative and for her unwavering dedication to advancing women’s roles in cooperatives.
A news clip on the event is available here:
Also have a look at the Picture Gallery including many case studies of succesful cooperative women:
