Sanitation and Clean Water Initiatives
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan : Over 116 million households benefited, improving women’s dignity, safety, and well-being by reducing open defecation, especially in rural areas.
Maa Tarini Self-Help Group (SHG): In Rourkela, women-led initiatives built community toilets for marginalized groups like leprosy patients, improving hygiene and dignity.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): 150 million households now have tap water, reducing women’s daily water-fetching burden and increasing workforce participation.
Women in Business and Financial Inclusion
Startup India: Women lead 73,000 startups, supported by schemes like Stand-Up India and Mudra Yojana, providing loans, with 68% going to women.
GeM Portal: Over 1,00,000 women-led micro and small enterprises secured contracts worth ₹46,615 crore, contributing to economic growth and gender equality in government procurement.
BharatNet and PM-WANI have connected 199,000 villages and 2,14,000 gram panchayats, providing women with access to digital tools for financial services, business, and education
Women in Governance
The government’s policy of 33% reservation in legislative bodies has enhanced women’s political participation, making them central decision-makers in India’s governance.
Women make up 46% of elected representatives in rural governance, influencing policies that better address the needs of families and communities, especially in healthcare, education, and public safety.
Women in governance contribute to inclusive and sustainable development, improving society’s overall well-being.
Overall Impact on Women’s Empowerment
Rural female participation in the workforce increased from 24.6% to 41.5% between 2017 and 2023, driven by access to water, reduced domestic burdens, and improved opportunities in agriculture.
Nearly 43% of STEM graduates are women, contributing significantly to India’s technical workforce and playing a vital role in the country’s development.
PM Modi emphasized at G-20 that “When women prosper, the world prospers,” underlining the global importance of women’s empowerment
Continued support for women-led businesses, skill development, and financial inclusion is shaping India’s future, ensuring lasting change and progress for generations to come.
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