Amritapuri, June 2026: Dr. Bhavani Rao R., Dean of the Amrita School of Social and Behavioural Sciences and Director of the Center for Women’s Empowerment & Gender Equality (CWEGE), Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, participated as Chair and Expert Member of the BRICS Trade Union Forum Taskforce on “Women and the Future of Work.”

The engagement formed part of the BRICS 2026 process under India’s Chairship, bringing together experts from academia, government and the private sector to examine emerging challenges and opportunities influencing women’s participation in the evolving world of work.

Dr. Victoria Ustenko, Associate Professor, Department of Social Sciences, School of Social & Behavioural Sciences, Amritapuri, and Dr. Srividya Sheshadri, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, School of Social & Behavioural Sciences, Amritapuri, also contributed to the engagement.

Addressing Emerging Challenges for Women at Work

The Taskforce examined key areas shaping the future of women’s work across BRICS countries, including the care economy, informal and gig work, skills and entrepreneurship, green jobs, and technology.

Amrita’s contribution placed particular emphasis on the role of technology in shaping women’s access to emerging employment opportunities, while also considering the wider social and economic factors that influence women’s participation in the workforce.

The Taskforce brought together research findings, evidence, policy perspectives and experiences from BRICS countries to identify emerging priorities and develop recommendations for consideration within the broader BRICS process.

Advancing Inclusive and Equitable Workplaces

The discussions highlighted the need to ensure that technological and economic transformations create opportunities that are accessible and beneficial to women across diverse social and economic contexts. Particular attention was given to the changing nature of employment, evolving skill requirements and the importance of creating supportive ecosystems for women’s participation in the future workforce.

Through the participation of its experts, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and CWEGE contributed to an important international dialogue on advancing a more inclusive, equitable and responsive future of work for women.

The insights and recommendations emerging from the Taskforce are expected to contribute to ongoing BRICS deliberations and inform future policy discussions on women, employment, technology and the changing world of work.