Empowerment of Women in India

In the context of International Women’s Day, India is making notable strides in empowering women through a variety of government policies aimed at transforming access to sanitation, clean water, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

Sanitation and Water Access

• Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission):
  • Aimed at ending open defecation and improving the dignity, safety, and well-being of women.
  • Over 116 million households benefited, leading to safer and healthier environments.
  • Initiatives like the Maa Tarini Self-Help Group in Rourkela addressed sanitation for marginalized groups.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM):
  • Ensures safe and reliable drinking water access to every household.
  • Increased women's participation in agriculture by 7.4% in states like Bihar and Jharkhand.
  • Rural female workforce participation improved from 24.6% to 41.5% between 2017 and 2023.

Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship

• Startup India Initiative:
  • Over 73,000 startups with at least one female director recognized, highlighting women in business leadership.
• Government-backed financing programs:
  • The Stand-Up India Scheme sanctioned over ₹53,609 crore in loans for 236,000 entrepreneurs.
  • Mudra Yojana sanctioned ₹32.36 lakh crore for 51.41 crore loans, with 68% going to women.
• Digital Connectivity:
  • BharatNet and PM-WANI initiatives improved financial inclusion through enhanced internet access.
  • More than 300 million bank accounts for women opened under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
• E-commerce and Government Procurement:
  • Women entrepreneurs constitute 8% of the total seller base on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
  • Examples like Reena Kirar show how digital platforms expand business opportunities for women.

Political Representation and Leadership

• Political Reform:
  • Implementation of a 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies.
• Grassroots Leadership:
  • Women constitute approximately 46% of elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
  • Women in governance lead to more family and community-oriented policies, enhancing areas like healthcare and education.

Progress in Various Sectors

• STEM and Society:
  • Women make up nearly 43% of STEM graduates.

India’s ongoing efforts to empower women through various initiatives are driving economic and social progress, with a focus on sustaining momentum for lasting change.