UNGA Prez Pays Tribute to India’s Hansa Mehta on Int Day for Women in Diplomacy, Know Who She Was

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Dennis Francis paid tribute to India’s Hansa Mehta on the occasion of the International Day for Women in Diplomacy. Hansa Mehta was a feminist leader, activist and diplomat from India.

Mehta 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.

The introduction of a more inclusive language in UDHR was an important milestone in the fight for women’s rights and gender equality.

Speaking passionately about Hansa Mehta’s influence, Francis posed a poignant question: “Would the Universal Declaration of Human Rights be truly universal today if Hansa Mehta had not insisted its opening line be changed from “all men” to “all human beings” are born free and equal?”

Hansa Mehta is 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.

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.