Jharkhand Showcases Women-Led Development at WEF, Davos

Davos/Ranchi, Jan 2026 : During the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), the Government of Jharkhand, in collaboration with the Women Empowerment Vertical of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI), hosted a high-level panel discussion at the Jharkhand Pavilion. The session, titled “Women Entrepreneurship: Driving Growth and Building a Sustainable Economy,” emphasized the critical role of women’s economic participation in fostering inclusive growth and long-term sustainability.

Speaking at the panel, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren underscored that Jharkhand aims to move beyond being merely an exporter of minerals and natural resources. He emphasized that the state’s development is rooted in local tribal values, indigenous knowledge, and a respectful relationship with forests, water, and land. The model prioritizes conservation and sustainability alongside economic progress.

Kalpana Murmu Soren highlighted the pivotal yet often invisible contributions of tribal and rural women, who have historically been the backbone of families and local economies. She stressed that their care, labor, and leadership must be recognized as fundamental to society and the economy.

The panel also discussed equality and dignity. Kalpana Murmu Soren emphasized that Jharkhand’s policies go beyond traditional welfare schemes, focusing on restoring agency, confidence, and opportunities to women, including housewives and informal sector workers who often remain outside mainstream economic participation. Using the metaphor of “watering the roots,” she explained that empowering women with resources, care, and trust leads to stable, equitable, and lasting development.

A significant focus of the discussion was the success of women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) promoted through the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS). Kalpana Soren explained how these SHGs are fostering leadership, self-reliance, and entrepreneurship among women through local production, food processing, and small enterprises, creating a strong foundation for community-driven economic growth.

Reflecting the Chief Minister’s vision, Kalpana Murmu Soren stated that Jharkhand’s governance prioritizes people over resources and quality of life over narrow economic output. She expressed confidence that empowered women—physically, socially, and economically—will form the backbone of sustainable development in Jharkhand and across India.

Concluding her remarks, she invited global partners to engage with Jharkhand, witness the state’s women-led community development initiatives firsthand, and collaborate in scaling this inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsible model.