At the official handover of the EU Gender Championship from Austria to Slovenia, H.E. Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, Ambassador of Slovenia to India, reaffirmed Slovenia’s commitment to gender equality as both, national and foreign policy priority.
“Gender equality is not only a fundamental aspect of the European Union’s policies but also a core pillar of Slovenia’s foreign policy”, Ambassador Ghosh stated. She underscored that gender inclusivity has been an integral part of Slovenia’s political landscape since its independence, referring to it as the Red Thread—a principle that has guided the nation’s diplomatic engagements and governance over the years.
As Slovenia took over the EU Gender Championship, the Ambassador stressed the importance of proactive initiatives to promote gender equality. She announced two key events designed to engage and inspire various groups.
“The first initiative will be an art workshop, celebrating gender equality through artistic expression. Art has the power to challenge perceptions and inspire change, making it an ideal medium to highlight the importance of gender parity,” she explained. The exhibition will serve as a platform to showcase the voices and perspectives of artists who champion gender equality through their work.
The second initiative is a quiz competition aimed at high school students in Delhi. “This event is designed to encourage young minds to reflect on and engage with issues of gender equality. The initial round will be conducted in writing, from which we will select the top three schools. These finalists will then compete in a live event, answering questions on gender-related themes while also gaining insights into Slovenian culture,” she announced. The final competition is scheduled to take place at the end of April, offering an educational and interactive approach to fostering awareness of gender issues.
In addition to these events, the Ambassador highlighted a special screening of a documentary that sheds light on women excelling in traditionally male-dominated professions. This will be followed by a panel discussion, set to take place in Bengaluru. “We aim to bring together voices from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives,” she remarked, emphasising the need for dialogue and representation in such discussions.
Beyond public events, Slovenia is also taking a grassroots approach to promoting gender equality. Ambassador Ghosh acknowledged the efforts of her colleague, Irma, who has played a significant role in organising interactive workshops with a local NGO. “These workshops will place gender equality at the centre of the conversation, fostering dialogue and collaboration at the grassroots level,” she noted. As part of the initiative, Slovenia will symbolically hand over the EU gender champion torch to the next EU member state at one of these workshops. n
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