Uniting voices to encourage inclusive leadership, gender equity, and allyship for a stronger democracy in India, addressing urgent challenges in today’s evolving political and social landscape. National Capital Region, India – January 10, 2025. The #Newsdesk reports…

The International Conclave on Strengthening Democracy in India hosted by the School of Campaigners is a groundbreaking event dedicated to advancing gender equality and inclusive leadership in politics. Held on January 10, 2025, at the TERI Retreat Centre, Gurugram, the conclave features influential leaders, activists, and policymakers addressing themes like gender-inclusive leadership, creating safe political spaces for women, and the role of men as allies. With speakers like Kavita Nandini Ramdas, Sara Abdullah Pilot, and Dilip Cherian, this event highlights actionable strategies to strengthen democracy in India through equality and allyship. Learn more about this transformative initiative.

The International Conclave on Strengthening Democracy in India, hosted by the School of Campaigners, stands as a critical platform for strengthening gender-inclusive political leadership. Taking place at the TERI Retreat Centre in Gurugram, the event has brought together leaders, policymakers, and activists to confront pressing challenges in achieving equality and inclusivity in politics. With an urgent need for such conversations in today's socio-political climate, the conclave seeks to redefine 21st-century leadership through a gendered lens.

A Bold Initiative for Inclusive Political Campaigns

The School of Campaigners, an initiative of Access Polity, was launched in 2024 to build the necessary infrastructure for inclusive election campaigns in South Asia. Over six weeks, 20 political consultants—18 from India and 2 from the Philippines—were trained in running gender-inclusive campaigns. This unique program culminates in a two-day meet on January 9–10, 2025, featuring discussions on how the political ecosystem can evolve through a gender perspective. The second day of the conclave is dedicated to media coverage, with panels addressing critical themes like gender, politics, and democracy.

The Panels: Reimagining Leadership, Safety, and Allyship

Panel 1 (12:00 PM): Reimagining 21st-Century Leadership from a Gender Lens
Moderated by some of the most distinguished figures in activism and policy, this panel features Kavita Nandini Ramdas, Intersectional Feminist & Public Intellectual, Suki Capobianco, Chief Strategy Officer, Apolitical Foundation, Sairee Chahal, Founder, Mahila Money & Sheroes, Ishrat Jahan, Political Leader & Activist and Avani Bansal, Advocate, Supreme Court of India. The panel will explore how to dismantle structural barriers and reimagine leadership that prioritizes inclusivity and equality.

Panel 2 (2:30 PM): Making Politics Safe and Viable for Women

Bringing together voices from across political ideologies, this session features Sara Abdullah Pilot, Founder, Centre for Equity & Inclusion (CEQUIN), Charu Pragya, Spokesperson, BJP, Juhie Singh, Spokesperson, Samajwadi Party, Vinta Nanda, Filmmaker & Activist and Kanksshi Agarwal, Founder, Access Polity. The discussion will focus on implementing structural reforms to ensure safety and support for women in politics, including a groundbreaking representation sent to the Election Commission of India advocating for POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) policies in political parties.

Panel 3 (4:30 PM): Setting Narratives for Gender Equality - Men as Allies
This panel underscores the vital role men play in driving gender equality. Speakers include Dilip Cherian, Founder, Perfect Relations, Krishna Allavaru, National Incharge, Indian Youth Congress, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, Lawyer & Social Activist, Nikhil Taneja, Co-Founder, Yuvaa and Rohit Kumar, Co-founder, Young Leaders for Active Citizenship. By framing allyship as a cornerstone of progress, this session aims to inspire actionable commitments toward inclusivity.

Advocacy and Global Collaboration

The conclave reflects the visionary work of Kanksshi Agarwal, a German Chancellor Fellow and Oxford alumna, who has pioneered initiatives like NETRI, an incubator for women’s political leadership. Collaborations with organizations such as Angat Bayi from the Philippines further enrich the discourse, offering global perspectives on gender equality in politics.

Partnerships That Drive Change

The event is supported by esteemed partners, including Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC): Empowering young changemakers in policymaking and The Womb: India’s first digital newspaper for women, amplifying narratives on gender equality. Other collaborators, such as One Future Collective, India Action Project, and The Daily Eye, stress the collective effort to build an equitable future.

Why This Matters Now

In a time when democracy faces global challenges, discussions on gender equality and inclusive leadership are more crucial than ever. The International Conclave on Strengthening Democracy not only highlights these issues but also provides actionable frameworks to address them. With India’s evolving political landscape, such dialogues pave the way for systemic change and inspire hope for a future where leadership is both inclusive and transformative.

Journalists, activists, and policymakers attending this event will leave with fresh insights, innovative strategies, and a renewed commitment to strengthening democracy in India through a gendered lens.

For more information, visit Access Polity's School of Campaigners.

Location: TERI Retreat Centre, Gurugram
Date: January 10, 2025
Time: 10:45 AM – 6:00 PM