The conversation around women and development is changing. Increasingly, the question is not simply how women can be supported, but how women can participate as entrepreneurs, employers, innovators, investors and decision-makers. This was at the heart of the discussion on Women and Their Quest for Cooperation at the UDC United Economic BRICS Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi, India, where perspectives from India and international participants brought together questions of economic agency, education, technology, entrepreneurship and international cooperation.
Representation from the UAE, Russia, Iran and other international communities, alongside participants from different regions and spheres of India’s business and professional ecosystem, brought diverse economic and social perspectives to the conversation.
The discussion began with a fundamental shift in perspective: women should not be viewed primarily as beneficiaries of development, but as economic agents capable of creating businesses, employment and value. Jyothsna Tirunagari, National Spokesperson, Telugu Desam Party, highlighted the importance of creating an environment where women’s participation can translate into meaningful economic opportunity. As she observed, “When women have the opportunity to participate fully in the economy, they do not simply become part of the workforce; they become creators of opportunity, employment and economic value.”
Education emerged as one of the foundations of that opportunity. Gauri Kohli, Founder and CEO of DoubleSpace Learning, and Deepta Sateesh, Head – MAHE, DWEEPA, brought complementary perspectives on the role of education in shaping women’s economic journeys. Their discussion connected learning with capability-building, employment, entrepreneurship and leadership, emphasising that access to education must ultimately translate into practical skills and confidence.
Technology added another layer to the discussion. Artificial intelligence, digital platforms and healthcare innovation are opening new possibilities for women, particularly in areas where access to specialised services remains limited. Marina Letova of Third Opinion AI from Russia contributed to this technology-led perspective, reinforcing the importance of ensuring that innovation is designed around accessibility and inclusion rather than remaining concentrated among those who already have access.
The business ecosystem itself was another important part of the conversation. Ravpreet Ganesh, Brand Strategist and Ecosystem Builder, brought attention to the importance of visibility, networks and market access for women-led enterprises.For BRICS economies, stronger cross-border connectivity could create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs, women-led businesses, startups and small and medium enterprises to access international markets.
Preeti Sayal, Head, WGA India, further brought the importance of building networks and platforms through which women can connect with opportunities, skills and markets. Such networks can become especially valuable within BRICS by creating stronger links between women-led businesses across countries and sectors. As the discussion highlighted, “A strong network can turn an individual opportunity into a collective ecosystem of growth.”
The international perspectives from Ekaterina Nadolskaia, Editor, Russia News, and Royasadat Nourian, Dubai Managing Director, Future Trends Group, added further depth to the discussion. Their participation demonstrated that women’s economic journeys differ across societies, while many of the underlying questions—access to finance, skills, technology, networks and leadership—remain shared. Bringing these experiences together is precisely where international platforms such as BRICS and the Global South can create value by encouraging knowledge exchange and practical cooperation.
Economic participation, however, cannot be separated from dignity, safety and institutional access. Shamina Shafiq, Former Member of the National Commission for Women, Government of India stated “Economic independence is not only about earning an income; it is about expanding a woman’s choices, autonomy and ability to participate in decisions that shape her life.”
The discussion therefore moved beyond the question of representation towards the larger issue of economic agency. Creating opportunities for women requires coordinated attention to education, financial inclusion, digital access, entrepreneurship, healthcare, safety, market access and leadership. These areas are interconnected, and progress in one can strengthen outcomes in others.
Dr. Asif Iqbal, President, United Diplomatic Council, who placed women’s participation within the wider framework of economic resilience, innovation and international cooperation stated, “Women are not a separate part of the economic story; they are central to it. If BRICS is to build stronger, more resilient and inclusive economies, women must be recognised as entrepreneurs, leaders, innovators and partners in shaping the future.”
The UDC United Economic BRICS Business Summit 2026 in New Delhi brought these questions into one room through a distinctly diverse gathering—international perspectives from countries including the UAE, Russia and Iran, alongside voices from India’s varied business, education, technology, policy and social sectors. That diversity strengthened the central message of the session: women’s economic participation is not confined to one geography or one profession. It is a global economic question with implications for trade, investment, innovation, employment and sustainable development.
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