Context

• International Women’s Day on March 8 serves as a timely reminder of the progress made toward gender equality and the work that remains.
• India has made notable strides in empowering women, with government policies playing a crucial role in improving access to sanitation, clean water, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship.
• These initiatives have not only enhanced women’s daily lives but have also reshaped their roles in governance, the workforce, and community leadership.

Government Initiatives in Women’s Empowerment

• Sanitation and Clean Water: A Foundation for Dignity and Economic Participation
  • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission)
    • This program particularly benefited women in rural areas, where open defecation posed safety and health risks.
    • By constructing over 116 million household toilets, the initiative has provided women with a sense of security, privacy, and dignity.
    • Community-driven efforts, such as those led by the Maa Tarini Self-Help Group (SHG) in Rourkela, further highlight the mission’s impact.
    • These grassroots initiatives demonstrate how sanitation efforts can be both socially transformative and economically beneficial.
  • Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
    • Before its implementation, only 17% of rural households had tap water connections, forcing women to spend hours fetching water.
    • Today, over 150 million households have access to safe drinking water, significantly reducing women’s time burden and enabling greater participation in education, work, and economic activities.
    • The availability of water has had a direct impact on female labour force participation.
    • Studies indicate a 7.4% increase in women’s engagement in agriculture and allied sectors, particularly in states like Bihar and Jharkhand, where female workforce participation was historically low.
    • Between 2017 and 2023, rural female workforce participation rose from 24.6% to 41.5%, demonstrating how infrastructural development can drive social change and economic independence.

Government Initiatives Directed Towards Financial Inclusion of Women

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
  • Launched in 2014, PMJDY has been instrumental in bringing women into the formal banking system.
  • More than 300 million bank accounts have been opened for women under this initiative, allowing them to save money, access credit, and engage in financial transactions independently.
  • The scheme has also introduced direct benefit transfers (DBT), ensuring that government subsidies reach women directly, reducing dependency on intermediaries.
• Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
  • This scheme provides collateral-free loans to small and micro enterprises, particularly benefiting women entrepreneurs.
  • Out of the total ₹32.36 lakh crore sanctioned under Mudra Yojana, 68% of the loans have been given to women.
  • The scheme has supported businesses ranging from handicrafts and textiles to food processing and retail, allowing women to transition from informal labour to entrepreneurship.
• Stand-Up India Scheme
  • Aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among women and marginalised communities, this scheme provides loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore.
  • So far, over ₹53,609 crore has been sanctioned to 236,000 entrepreneurs, helping women establish and expand their businesses.
  • By offering financial literacy programs alongside credit access, the scheme ensures that women are equipped with the necessary skills to manage and grow their enterprises.

Digital Connectivity and the Rise of Women Entrepreneurs

• BharatNet and PM-WANI Initiatives
  • BharatNet and the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) have expanded high-speed internet access to 199,000 villages and 214,000 gram panchayats.
  • The establishment of over 247,000 Wi-Fi hotspots has enabled women in rural areas to access online banking, digital payment systems, and e-commerce platforms.
• UPI and Digital Payments
  • The rise of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has made financial transactions more accessible to women entrepreneurs.
  • Women-led businesses, particularly in rural areas, are now able to receive payments seamlessly, reducing their reliance on cash transactions and improving financial transparency.
• E-commerce and Market Access
  • Digital platforms have provided women entrepreneurs with a gateway to larger markets beyond their local communities.
  • The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has been instrumental in integrating women-led businesses into the national procurement system.
  • Over 100,000 women-led micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are now active on the GeM portal, securing contracts worth ₹46,615 crore.

Case Study: Women Entrepreneurs Leveraging Technology

• A compelling example of digital empowerment is Reena Kirar, an entrepreneur from Madhya Pradesh.
• She leads the Girja Devi Jan Kalyan Samiti, a self-help group producing textiles, food products, and household goods.
• By leveraging the GeM portal, Reena expanded her business beyond her local village, reaching customers across the country.

Women’s Representation in Governance

• Political empowerment is another critical area where India has made significant progress.
• The government’s recent implementation of a 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies marks a transformative shift in governance.
• Women are no longer passive participants but key decision-makers shaping national policies.
• At the grassroots level, women constitute approximately 46% of elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), with over 1.4 million women actively engaged in rural governance.
• Their leadership has led to more community-centred policies, improving healthcare, education, and public safety.
• These developments highlight a broader truth: when women lead, societies thrive.

Remaining Challenges and the Way Forward

• Limited Access to Credit
  • While government schemes have improved credit access, many women still struggle to secure large-scale funding due to a lack of collateral and financial history.
  • Expanding microfinance institutions (MFIs) and encouraging venture capital investment in women-led businesses could help bridge this gap.
• Societal and Cultural Barriers
  • Traditional gender norms in some parts of India still discourage women from pursuing entrepreneurship.
  • Awareness campaigns and mentorship programs led by successful female entrepreneurs can help change perceptions and inspire more women to start businesses.
• Need for Digital Literacy
  • While digital penetration has improved, a significant digital literacy gap still exists, particularly among rural women.
  • Government and private sector initiatives must focus on providing digital training to women, ensuring they can fully leverage online banking, e-commerce, and digital marketing tools. 

Conclusion

• India’s strides in women’s empowerment through sanitation, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and governance are shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.
• The government’s targeted policies have not only improved women’s quality of life but have also unlocked economic and leadership opportunities.
• While progress is evident, sustaining this momentum requires continuous policy focus, investment in education, and the dismantling of socio-economic barriers.