India's Women Empowerment Journey: Progress and Future Goals for IWD 2025

India's Pledge to Empower Women on International Women's Day 2025

As the world celebrates International Women's Day on March 8, 2025, India is placing its renewed commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment at the forefront. The theme of International Women's Day 2025, "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." reminds us of providing equal rights, opportunities, and empowerment to all women, especially the youth, as drivers of sustainable change.

This year is the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a milestone document that has influenced the world's discourse on women's rights. For India, the day provides a moment to look at its own progress in empowering women's well-being, as well as challenges yet to be addressed.

India's Government Initiatives for Women's Empowerment

India has journeyed a considerable way in managing gender equality in a sequence of schemes, policies, and laws. There is movement from women's development towards women's-led development where women are fully occupied with areas of work like education, health care, economic empowerment, and leadership. 

Constitutional and Legal Framework
The Indian Constitution ensures gender equality by making provisions in the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy. Articles such as Article 14 (equality before the law), Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination), and Article 51(a)(e) (urging citizens to give up practices derogatory to women's dignity) form the pillars of gender rights in India.

India's adherence to international women's rights treaties is apparent as the nation is a signatory to major treaties such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Education and Skill Development
Education is the foundation of empowering women in India. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan have focused on enhancing educational access among girls. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also prioritizes gender equality and inclusion.

Women participation in STEM courses has also undergone significant improvement, and 42.57% of the entire STEM intake has been that of women. Initiatives such as Vigyan Jyoti encourage girls to study STEM, particularly in the underrepresented areas. Upgradation programs in skills such as the Skill India Mission and Women Technology Parks have also been initiated to increase the employability of women.

Health and Nutrition
India has taken efforts in the health sector to improve the health outcomes of mothers and children. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) is a scheme that provides financial incentives to pregnant women and new mothers. Trends towards declining maternal and child mortality and increased life expectancy among women are indicators of improvement in the sector.

Equal significance has to be accorded by the government towards its emphasis on nutrition and sanitation. The Swachh Bharat Mission and Poshan Abhiyaan programs have elevated women's hygienic as well as nutritional levels, and the Ujjwala Yojana program has released more than 10 crore clean cooking gas connections to impact the health of women for good.

Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion
India has experienced growing involvement of women in the economy and economic decision-making. The latest figures show that 88.7% of women are involved in domestic decision-making, compared to 84% in 2015.

For inclusion of the financially excluded, programs such as PM Jan Dhan Yojana have opened more than 30 crore accounts in the name of women, out of which 55% are in their own names. Besides this, 69% of microloans under the MUDRA Scheme are given to women-run businesses, and loans have been distributed to women entrepreneurs under the Stand-Up India Scheme.

Women's participation in leadership has also grown, with strong presence in domains like civil aviation, where more than 15% of pilots are female. Women are also being provided opportunities by the government in the defence, including entry into the National Defence Academy as well as combat roles.

Digital and Technological Empowerment
India's digital endeavors are helping fill the gender gap in technology. The PMGDISHA project has empowered 60 million rural citizens, and they are half women, through digital literacy courses. Women entrepreneurs' empowerment and digital access have been facilitated by Common Service Centres (CSCs) and SANKALP Hubs in coordination with the government, facilitated in 742 districts.

Safety and Protection
The Indian government has enacted several legislative policies for women's safety, such as the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2018, which increased punishment for offenses against women. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act of 2005 and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act of 2013 give additional protection by law to women.

Fast-track courts, a 24/7 emergency response system (112), and the Nirbhaya Fund have all helped to improve women's safety. Safe City Projects launched in urban cities and One Stop Centres for victims of gender-based violence also show India's attempt towards women's safety.

Conclusion
India has gone a long way in empowering women, but it is still far from achieving the goal. On this International Women's Day, India reiterates its stand for gender equality, prioritizing the education, health, economic, and security of women. Through sustained efforts in policy formulations, grassroots involvement, and digital enablement, women shall remain at the forefront of mapping the nation's future.

Source: Government of India, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Press Information Bureau