Kanta Singh

Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India. Working towards gender equality. Sportsperson, Traveller, Music lover, Chevener

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

Through the voices of Members of Parliament from India, this series reflects on the importance of women leadership, collaboration and gender-responsive policymaking in building more equal societies.

@jothims @ByreddyShabari

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

On the International Day of Parliamentarism, we celebrate the vital role of parliaments in advancing inclusive, representative and responsive governance.

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

DEADLINE EXTENDED!
📢 Call for Stories: Voices from the Loom

Through Voices from the Loom, DC (Handlooms) in collaboration with UN Women seeks to document & amplify stories of leadership, resilience, & success from women shaping India's handloom traditions. (1/4)

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

UN Women is delighted to open application for its SheLeads: States’ Edition in Punjab - a workshop for women leaders!

Dates: 20 - 21 August 2026
Location: Mohali, Punjab
Apply Here: https://t.co/cdbuo3IS2U

Applications will close on 12 July 2026

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

📢 Call for Stories: Voices from the Loom

UN Women in collaboration with DC (Handlooms) is seeking stories of women weavers who are preserving traditions, driving innovation, leading enterprises, and strengthening communities across India. (1/2)

[Kanta Singh @kantasingh_]

What an amazing experience to accompany this vibrant and dynamic group of MPs that also included @sasmitpatra ji, @sanyaVseth @Arvinn @undissingh

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

Over six days in Norway, Members of Parliament from India engaged with policymakers, researchers, local government leaders, and institutions working at the forefront of gender equality, early childhood education, climate action, sustainable urban development, & Arctic governance.

[ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra @sasmitpatra]

Met and submitted a representation to Hon’ble Union Minister for WCD, Smt. Annapurna Devi ji, seeking an immediate upward revision of honorarium & incentives for Anganwadi Workers & Helpers under Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0. With the last revision done in 2018, the cost of living has risen sharply, while their responsibilities; from the POSHAN Tracker to digital reporting, have expanded significantly. As the backbone of India's maternal & child healthcare, especially in rural & tribal Odisha, their remuneration must reflect their invaluable service.

Urged the Ministry to set up a Review Committee to evaluate inflation, enhance performance incentives & provide special allowances for difficult & aspirational districts. Empowering our frontline workers is a strategic investment in a healthier India.

#AnganwadiWorkers #PoshanAbhiyaan #WomenEmpowerment #ChildWelfare #Odisha #PublicHealth

[ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra @sasmitpatra]

From Oslo to the Arctic Circle! 🇳🇴

After an incredibly productive series of engagements in Oslo,, we the Indian Parliamentary Delegation are in the beautiful north - Tromso. We are here to engage with new ideas in this unique, stunning Arctic setting and are looking forward to more deeply engaging and impactful brainstorming sessions.

Being here drives home a powerful truth: protecting the Arctic isn't just a regional issue; it’s a global necessity. What happens in the Arctic directly impacts climate systems everywhere, including back home in India. Excited for the insights and discussions ahead. 🇮🇳🤝🇳🇴

@norwayinindia | @unwomenindia

#Tromso #Norway #ArcticCircle #ClimateChange #GlobalExchange #InternationalRelations #TeamIndia #OsloToTromso #ArticResearch

[ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra @sasmitpatra]

Understanding Ecological Vulnerability: Insights from Polaria and Arctic Climate Science.

During our delegation tour, had the opportunity to visit Polaria, the Arctic Experience Centre, which is deeply dedicated to sharing critical knowledge about the Arctic and promoting the sustainable management of this highly unique and vulnerable region.

The visit emphasized the global strategic importance of the Arctic while underscoring the severe challenges it faces from climate change and intensifying environmental pressures.

Key Elements of the Experience:

•⁠ ⁠Immersive Ecological Understanding: Gaining a deeper, hands-on perspective of the complex northern ecosystems and their delicate balances.

•⁠ ⁠Marine Conservation: Observing Arctic marine life up close to understand how shifts in sea temperatures and ice levels ripple across the global food chain and climate systems.

Protecting these vital, climate-regulating ecosystems requires unified global awareness and evidence-based policy.

🇮🇳🤝🇳🇴

#Polaria #ClimateChange #ArcticConservation #Sustainability #EnvironmentalPolicy #NorwayInIndia #UNWomen #GlobalAction

@norwayinindia | @unwomenindia

[Norway in India @norwayinindia]

Thank you @UN_Women and to everyone who welcomed the delegation for making the visit to Oslo so insightful and engaging🤝 (2/2) @oslokommune @OsloMet @norwayindia @Arvinn

[Norway in India @norwayinindia]

After visiting Oslo, the delegation of Indian Parliamentarians will now travel north to engage with new ideas in a unique Arctic setting!🌞🏔️(1/2)
@Utenriksdept @UniOslo @Stortinget @sasmitpatra @kjsehrawat @sribharatm @ByreddyShabari @RoopkumariBJP @Bijuli_KMedhi @tanujpuniaINC

[ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra @sasmitpatra]

Today, on the sidelines of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation Knowledge Exchange Tour ; thoughtfully organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (@NorwayInIndia) and @unwomenindia, we had the opportunity to visit a Norwegian Kindergarten.

In Norway, the kindergarten system is not just about early education; it is a foundational pillar of their gender equality model. Access to affordable, high-quality early childhood care ensures that caregiving responsibilities are equitably balanced rather than falling disproportionately on one parent, enabling both parents to fully participate in the workforce.

Key Takeaways from the Visit:

•⁠ ⁠Child-Centred Development: Experiencing firsthand how Norway seamlessly integrates care, play, and learning within a safe, inclusive environment.

•⁠ ⁠Economic Empowerment: Observing how accessible childcare directly drives women's labor force participation by fostering a sustainable balance between professional and family life.

Studying these successful models offers invaluable perspectives on how robust social policy can drive both human development and economic empowerment.

#NorwayInIndia #UNWomen #GenderEquality #EarlyChildhoodEducation #PublicPolicy #WorkLifeBalance #SocialInfrastructure #IndianParliamentaryDelegation

[ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra @sasmitpatra]

At the steps of the Royal Palace, Oslo. 🇮🇳🇳🇴

A proud moment with my Parliamentary colleagues and senior leadership of UN Women ; where diplomacy, democracy, and the shared pursuit of a more equal world came together.

Grateful for every conversation on this visit. The work continues...

#DrSasmitPatra #RoyalPalaceOslo #UNWomen #IndiaNorway #ParliamentaryDiplomacy #Oslo #IndianParliamentaryDelegation

@unwomenindia | @NorwayInIndia

[ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra @sasmitpatra]

Today, on the sidelines of the Indian Parliamentary Delegation Knowledge Exchange Tour organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (@NorwayInIndia) and @unwomenindia, I had the privilege of visiting the University of Oslo (UiO).

As Norway’s oldest and most prestigious research institution, UiO is globally renowned for its profound contributions to public policy, sustainability & social sciences, playing a pivotal role in informing modern governance and international cooperation.

It was a pleasure having highly insightful discussions with the University's leadership and distinguished faculty ; Rector Ragnhild Hennum , Hanne-Gerd Nielsen & Francesca Refsum Jensenius. Engaging with such esteemed minds offers invaluable insights into building resilient public policies, fostering evidence-based decision-making, and strengthening sustainable global frameworks.

🇮🇳🇳🇴

#IndiaNorway #IndianParliamentaryDelegation #PublicPolicy #Sustainability #HigherEducation #UiO

@kjsehrawat @SMathukumi72585 @ByreddyShabari @RoopkumariBJP @Bijuli_KMedhi @tanujpuniaINC

[ଡ଼ଃ ସସ୍ମିତ ପାତ୍ର I Dr. Sasmit Patra @sasmitpatra]

Honoured to be part of the Indian Parliamentary delegation to Norway for a Knowledge Exchange Tour, organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy (@norwayinindia) & @unwomenindia. 🇮🇳🇳🇴

Our visit will focus on studying Norway’s progressive institutions and policies that drive gender equality and women’s leadership in public life ; both foundational to robust socio-economic development. Following the landmark India-EFTA trade agreement, this exchange will also feature vital dialogues with Norwegian businesses. Our goal is to unlock strategic investment opportunities in India's high-priority sectors, including renewable energy and the circular economy.

Looking forward to impactful bilateral dialogues and strengthening the enduring cooperation between our nations.

#IndiaNorway #ParliamentaryDelegation #GenderEquality #RenewableEnergy #BilateralTrade #EFTA

@kjsehrawat @SMathukumi72585 @ByreddyShabari @RoopkumariBJP @Bijuli_KMedhi @tanujpuniaINC

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

On the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we recognise India as one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN Peacekeeping operations globally. (1/4)

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

Smt. Baby Rani Maurya, Hon’ble Minister of Women's Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Government of Uttar Pradesh delivered the keynote address, and actively engaged with the conversation on women and leadership.

@UPMahilaKalyan @babyranimaurya @kantasingh_ @MinistryWCD

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

UN Women India is scaling SheLeads to states.

SheLeads Uttar Pradesh was held on May 14, 2026 and May 15, 2026 with 42 women leaders from 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh participating in the two day residential workshop, in Lucknow.

[UN Women India @unwomenindia]

📢  The 2026 India Awards are now open for applications!  

🏆 There are awards across 6 categories, 3 SME Champion recognitions, and 3 special mentions up for grabs - recognising businesses advancing gender equality in leadership, the workplace, community, and more. (1/2)

[Lakshmi M Puri @lakshmiunwomen]

A UN Women bond renewed on Indian soil.

It was a real pleasure to welcome Shoko Ishikawa, the new Head of @unwomenindia, to my residence, along with @kantasingh_, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India.

Shoko and I go back to our UN Women days, when she was a valued colleague in the Regional Office during my tenure with the organisation. It was heart-warming to reconnect — not only as former colleagues, but as members of the same UN Women family, bound by a shared commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

As she begins this important assignment in India, I wish her every success in advancing the mandate of UN Women in a country where Nari Shakti is at the heart of transformative change, inclusive development and the journey towards Viksit Bharat.

A warm welcome to India, Shoko — and every good wish for a meaningful and impactful tenure.