India’s Progress in Advancing Women’s Rights

India’s Progress in Promoting Women’s Rights

Maternal and Reproductive Health:

• Institutional Deliveries: The rate has risen to 95% due to programs like the PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and PM Matru Vandana Yojana.

• Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): The MMR has dropped from 130 in 2014 to 97 in 2020 per 100,000 live births, according to Sample Registration System data.

• Modern Contraceptive Use: 56.5% of married women now use modern contraceptives, enhancing reproductive autonomy.

Women’s Access to Healthcare:

• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: The world’s largest government-funded healthcare initiative has provided millions of women with free medical treatment.

Education and Skill Development:

• Improvement in Child Sex Ratio: Achieved through initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP).

• Higher Retention Rates in Education: The National Education Policy 2020 has integrated education with skills training.

• STEM Opportunities for Women: Efforts have been made to encourage women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

• Menstrual Hygiene Support: Improved sanitation has reduced school absenteeism among adolescent girls.

Women’s Economic Empowerment:

• Financial Inclusion through Self-Help Groups (SHGs): The National Rural and Urban Livelihood Missions have connected 100 million women to financial networks.

• Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission: Facilitated credit and livelihood opportunities for women.

Digital Financial Inclusion:

• Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Significantly increased women’s participation in digital savings and investments.

• Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan: Empowered 35 million rural women with digital literacy skills.

• Gender-Responsive Budgeting:

  • Increased Allocation: The allocation for gender-specific initiatives within the national budget has risen from 6.8% in fiscal year 2024-25 to 8.8% in 2025-26.

  • Total Funding: A total of $55.2 billion has been designated for programs aimed at addressing gender issues.

  Women in Leadership:

  • New Generation of Leaders: Young women are increasingly taking leadership roles in sectors like climate action, digital entrepreneurship, and governance.

  • Supportive Projects: Initiatives such as the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) and the G20 TechEquity Platform exemplify this shift, helping thousands of young women in STEM and emerging technologies.

  Political Representation:

  • Women’s Reservation Act: Ensures women hold 33% of seats in legislative bodies, promoting gender balance in decision-making.

  • Local Governance Empowerment: Local governance initiatives have empowered 1.5 million women leaders, creating the world’s largest cohort of women in political leadership.

  Actions Against Gender-Based Violence:

  • Ongoing Challenge: Despite legal protections, gender-based violence remains a persistent issue.

  • Government Initiatives:

    • One Stop Centres: 770 centres have been established to provide comprehensive support, including medical, legal, and psychological services to survivors.
    • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023: Enacted in July 2024, it strengthens legal protections for women.
    • Odisha Blockchain Initiative: Ensures prompt and confidential assistance for survivors of violence.
    • Gender-Responsive Policing: A collaboration between the Rajasthan Police Academy and the UN Population Fund has built trust and improved access to justice for survivors.