The Gender and Economic Policy Discussion Forum (GEPDF) was initiated in 2012 to influence contemporary debates on socio-economic policies through an "interactive change making dialogue" and "knowledge sharing" among stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, including policymakers, policy activists, gender activists, academics, researchers, graduate students and development professionals. Through a gender lens, the GEPDF examines contemporary policy issues, highlighting the need to address gender-different programme designs and outcomes. A key objective of the GEPDF is to enhance gender sensitivity in Indian public policy discourse. Additionally, the GEPDF provided a platform for critiquing economic policy from a gender perspective while providing an opportunity for stakeholders to interact. As India grappled with a historic gender imbalance, a large segment of the population lacked access to employment, education, healthcare, and social protection, the forum served as a platform for critical reflection to promote gender equality and inclusion and to frame development programmes and policies.
In partnership with the Heinrich BöllStiftung, Regional Office New Delhi, the Institute of Social Studies Trust (ISST), New Delhi organised 36 forums between 2012 and 2021. ISST, a non-governmental feminist research organisation, incorporates rigorous gender analysis into its research and evaluation activities.
Each year, three to four forums were held in Delhi at appropriate locations. In the aftermath of each forum, a policy brief was prepared summarising the topic, the presentations and the discussions, including reflections and recommendations. An examination of these documents reveals that a variety of topics are addressed in relation to gender-sensitive policy formulation. It has included socio-economic empowerment, women’s contribution in the economy, forest and climate action, sexual and reproductive health, foreign direct investment, macroeconomics and development, identity and representation, the role of international financial institutions, traditional versus emerging economies, digital spaces, and body politics. Additionally, many of these discussions have been contextualised within the socio-political changes that have occurred in India over the past decade.
Over the years, the policy briefs have become an important source of knowledge. The purpose of these policy briefs is to preserve the main discussion and reflections, as well as to provide a context for contextualising the topic and offering recommendations for a gender-responsive public policy and discourse. There is a great deal of value in this body of knowledge for scholars and practitioners today.