Dr. Lipika Sharma (bottom right) joins the GPF India podcast as a special guest.

On April 15, 2025, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) India released a new episode of its podcast series focused on women’s leadership. The episode featured Dr. Lipika Sharma, a Senior Consultant with UN Women and CEO of VidAikyam Foundation. The conversation explored key issues around gender equality, grassroots leadership, and climate justice, offering insight into Dr. Sharma’s professional experiences and ongoing advocacy.

Dr. Sharma, who also serves as the G100 India Chair for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflected on her early motivations for entering public service. She cited her exposure to gender-based inequalities in her community as a driving force behind her career in social development.

During the episode, she addressed persistent barriers to women’s leadership, particularly at the local level. According to Dr. Sharma, patriarchal mindsets and institutional resistance continue to limit women’s participation in decision-making processes. She underscored the importance of community engagement, education, and inclusive policy development in overcoming these challenges.

A case example shared in the discussion involved a women’s collective that Dr. Sharma mentored. The group successfully advocated for land rights and influenced local governance decisions, demonstrating the impact of empowering women at the grassroots.

The conversation also examined the intersection of gender and environmental issues. Dr. Sharma emphasized the need to include women in climate action planning, noting that “women are not just victims of climate change, but they are frontline responders and solution-makers.” She called for the integration of gender perspectives in environmental policymaking to ensure equitable and effective outcomes.

In discussing mentorship, Dr. Sharma highlighted qualities she believes are critical for emerging leaders, such as empathy, purpose, and collaboration. She encouraged young women to have confidence in their abilities and pursue leadership roles.

In concluding the episode, Dr. Sharma shared her vision for India by 2030: a society with gender-balanced leadership, empowering all to drive progress on the SDGs. She advocated for a collaborative approach, urging established leaders to create space for others to rise.

The Global Peace Foundation and its partner, Global Peace Women (GPW), play a pivotal role in advancing women’s leadership and peacebuilding initiatives worldwide. Through programs like the Global Peace Women Leadership Academy, GPW provides comprehensive training and capacity-building opportunities, enabling women to lead community service projects and develop essential skills such as communication, project management, and budgeting. These efforts align with GPF’s broader mission to promote values-based peacebuilding by empowering women and families to become moral and innovative leaders who drive positive change and foster peace. By supporting women at all levels, from the family unit to international platforms, GPF and GPW contribute to creating engaged societies where women’s voices are integral to decision-making processes and sustainable development.

The podcast is part of GPF India’s broader initiative to amplify women’s voices in development and governance. The episode is available for streaming on GPF India’s digital platforms.

Learn more India | Global Peace Foundation