Fostering dialogue on gender diversity in education, Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao (ENZ) hosted the SheLeads: Celebrating Excellence event, at the New Zealand High Commission in Delhi. The event was a culmination of Education New Zealand’s SheLeads campaign launched on International Women’s Day to celebrate women leaders, experts, and drive positive change among students.
As part of the campaign, Education New Zealand hosted a debate competition at five prestigious schools across Delhi-NCR in April and May, where students deliberated on the topic of underrepresentation of women in STEM. The inter-school finale was hosted at the New Zealand High Commission where winners from each school presented their arguments on the topic: The Impact of flexible work policies on gender diversity in leadership. The students presented their arguments to an eminent panel of the jury from across education and diplomatic representatives.
SheLeads campaign also included an all-India video essay competition addressing the importance of achieving gender parity in education in alignment with SDG 4. Education New Zealand received over 50 entries from some of the most prestigious tertiary institutions of India. Professor Carol Mutch, Faculty of Education and Social Work, from The University of Auckland, was the faculty jury who selected the top three winning entries, the winners were felicitated at the finale held at the High Commission.
Jugnu Roy, Director of Engagement East Asia & India, Education New Zealand, said: “We are thrilled with the enthusiastic response to the ‘SheLeads’ campaign. The talent and passion displayed by the students in their essays and debates highlight the potential future leaders we have among us. We look forward to continuing our support for educational initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion.”
