Kriti Sanon, acclaimed actor, producer, and UNFPA India’s Honorary Ambassador for Gender Equality, made history today as the first Indian celebrity to address the World Health Summit (WHS) in Berlin. Delivering a powerful keynote at a high-level session titled “Women’s Health – Global Wealth: Catalyzing Returns on Bold Investments,” Ms. Sanon called for bold, sustained investments and innovation in women’s health, emphasizing its critical role in advancing global prosperity and gender equality.
In her address, Ms. Sanon highlighted the urgent need to prioritize women’s health, which remains chronically underfunded despite representing half the world’s population. She shared powerful data underscoring the economic imperative of investing in women’s health: for every $300 million invested, the return is $13 billion. Every dollar yields at least nine dollars in economic gains.
Speaking at the summit, Kriti Sanon said, “Investing in women’s health is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic investment in our collective future. When women are healthy, they can thrive, and so do their families, communities, and economies. We must move beyond presenting empirical evidence and commit to bold, decisive action. It’s time to ensure that women have a seat at the table when decisions about their health and bodies are being made. As the saying goes, ‘Nothing about her, without her.’ This is a fundamental principle for progress.”
Ms. Sanon also drew from her personal experiences and her recent interactions with young women in India, underscoring the devastating impact of child marriage and the lack of access to healthcare. She shared stories of resilience and hope, emphasizing the transformative power of timely support and intervention from organizations like UNFPA.
