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Empowering Women in India
Context:
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day on March 8, India stands at a crucial juncture in its journey toward women’s empowerment.
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- Government policies have played a transformative role in improving women’s access to sanitation, clean water, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship.
- These initiatives, combined with broader social and economic reforms, are redefining women’s participation in governance, the workforce, and community leadership across the country.
Advancements in Sanitation and Clean Water
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A significant milestone in India’s efforts toward women’s empowerment was the launch of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission).
- This initiative aimed not only at building toilets but also at enhancing the dignity, safety, and overall well-being of women.
- By targeting open defecation, particularly in rural areas, the mission significantly improved health and hygiene conditions for women.
- Government data indicates that over 116 million households have benefited from the initiative, creating safer environments and providing women with greater security and freedom in their daily lives.
- Self-Help Group: In Rourkela, the Maa Tarini Self-Help Group (SHG) took proactive steps to improve sanitation for marginalised groups, including leprosy patients.
- By constructing community toilets with enhanced water supply, they provided a safer space for women, improved menstrual hygiene, and promoted dignity.
- Additionally, the initiative incorporated composting activities, generating income for the community while supporting sustainable waste management.
- Jal Jeevan Mission: Building on the success of Swachh Bharat, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was introduced to ensure every household had access to clean and reliable drinking water.
- Before its implementation, only 17% of rural households had tap water connections, forcing women to spend long hours collecting water—time that could be used for education, employment, or other productive activities.
- Today, over 150 million households have access to tap water, alleviating the burden on women and transforming their daily lives.
- Studies indicate that access to clean water has led to a 7.4% increase in women’s participation in agriculture and allied sectors, particularly in states like Bihar and Jharkhand, where female labor force participation was historically low.
- Between 2017 and 2023, rural female workforce participation rose from 24.6% to 41.5%, with JJM identified as a key contributor to this growth.
Women in Business and Financial Inclusion
- India’s economic landscape is being reshaped by women entrepreneurs and financial inclusion initiatives, reflecting shifts in digital access, policy support, and economic empowerment.
- Under the Startup India Initiative, over 73,000 startups with at least one female director have been recognised, underscoring the increasing presence of women in business leadership.
- Government-backed financing schemes such as the Stand-Up India Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana have played a pivotal role in this transformation.
- The Stand-Up India Scheme has provided over ₹53,609 crore in loans to 236,000 entrepreneurs, while Mudra Yojana has sanctioned ₹32.36 lakh crore for 51.41 crore loans, with 68% of beneficiaries being women.
- Initiatives like BharatNet and the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) have introduced high-speed internet to 199,000 villages and 214,000 gram panchayats, with over 247,000 Wi-Fi hotspots established.
- These advancements provide women with greater access to banking services, e-commerce platforms, and business opportunities.
- The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has facilitated the opening of over 300 million bank accounts for women, fostering financial independence and encouraging economic participation.
- On the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal, women-led businesses now constitute 8% of the total seller base, with over 100,000 Udyam-verified micro and small enterprises (MSEs) securing contracts worth ₹46,615 crore.
Women in Governance and Leadership
- Women’s representation in political decision-making has significantly improved over the years.
- India has enacted a historic reform by implementing a 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies, a move that is set to reshape governance structures.
- At the grassroots level, women have emerged as drivers of social progress, comprising approximately 46% of elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), with over 1.4 million women serving in rural governance roles.
