On the occasion of the International Day for Women in Diplomacy, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis paid tribute to Hansa Mehta.
- Hansa Mehta was a feminist leader, activist and diplomat from India, highlighting her pivotal role in shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to be more inclusive.
- Mehta served as the Indian delegate to the UN Commission on Human Rights from 1947 to 1948.
- She is widely credited for successfully arguing against references to “men” as a synonym for humanity, and succeeded in changing the phrase, “All men are born free and equal” to “All human beings are born free and equal” in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Hansa Mehta was a prominent Indian scholar, educator, social reformer and writer. Born on July 3, 1897, Mehta was a champion of women’s rights.
- As the President of All India Women’s Conference (AIWC) in 1946, she led the drafting of the “Indian Women’s Charter of Rights”, which demanded gender equality, civil rights and justice for women in India.
- She was also part of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Indian Constitution, a member of its Advisory Committee and sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights.
- Many provisions of AIWC’s Charter formed the basis of gender-neutral provisions in the Indian constitution.
- At the international level, Mehta played a pioneering role in drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
- She was the only other female delegate, apart from Eleanor Roosevelt to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
