Kriti Sanon, acclaimed Bollywood actor, producer and UNFPA India’s Honorary Ambassador for Gender Equality, became the first Indian celebrity to address the World Health Summit, spotlighting women's health as a catalyst for equality and growth. Speaking in Berlin, Sanon urged global leaders to turn commitments into action and make women’s health a top investment priority. Delivering a powerful keynote at a high-level session titled ‘Women’s Health – Global Wealth: Catalyzing Returns on Bold Investments’, Sanon called for bold, sustained investments and innovation in women’s health, emphasizing its critical role in advancing global prosperity and gender equality. She highlighted the urgent need to prioritize women's health, which remains chronically underfunded, despite representing half the world's population. Sharing data, Sanon underscored 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," she 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," Sanon added. The Bollywood actor 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. On the occasion, Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative, underscored the significance of Sanon’s advocacy and said, “Kriti Sanon’s powerful voice is a crucial instrument for UNFPA, enabling us to reach wider audiences and advance gender equality. Her presence at the World Health Summit amplifies our collective call for urgent investment in women's health, a cornerstone for India’s global sustainable development. We are confident that her dedication will inspire meaningful progress towards a world where every woman and girl can lead a healthy, productive life and fulfill her potential." The session, co-hosted by UNFPA, brought together global leaders to explore how catalytic capital, blended finance, and strategic partnerships can accelerate investment and impact in women’s health. Sanon joined a distinguished panel including Bärbel Kofler (Parliamentary State Secretary, BMZ, Germany), Felicitas Riedl (Director for Innovation and Competitiveness, EIB), Diene Keita (Executive Director, UNFPA), Hiroyuki Okuzawa (President & CEO, Daiichi Sankyo, Japan), Budi Gunadi Sadikin (Minister of Health, Indonesia), Mary Muthoni Muriuki (Principal Secretary, Public Health, Kenya), Ru-fong Joanne Cheng (Director, Women’s Health Innovations, Gates Foundation), Jean Kaseya (Director-General, Africa CDC), and Ebere Okereke (Chief Program Officer, Mohammed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, UAE). Sanon, who continues to champion the rights and well-being of women and girls across the country, told The Indian Express that the participation in the World Health Summit was important and the aim is to reinforce India’s growing voice in shaping global conversations on gender equality and women’s health.
