Women Empowerment

Manual scavenging, accessibility reforms among Centre's agenda for 2025

Building on the groundwork laid in 2024, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will be focussing on achieving nationwide manual scavenging-free status and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities next year. Even though the ministry has time and again said that manual scavenging no longer exists in the country, only 257 districts have uploaded their manual scavenging-free certificates on the central government portal. The ministry has urged the remaining districts to update their status promptly. Under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem' (NAMASTE) scheme, 54,574 sewer and septic tank workers have been profiled, of whom 37,060 (67 per cent) belong to the Scheduled Castes category, a senior official said. The ministry aims to prioritise their rehabilitation next year. Also, the NAMASTE scheme will expand further in 2025, with plans to profile 2,50,000 waste pickers across the country, the official said. The programme will offer waste pickers

WCD ministry in 2025: Focus on grassroots empowerment, nutritional security

From addressing gaps in women's safety mechanisms to strengthening grassroots initiatives and nutritional security, the Women and Child Development ministry is set to focus on tackling systemic issues in the coming year. The year 2024 saw Annapurna Devi taking charge as the new Women and Child Development Minister and Savitri Thakur as her deputy. The operationalization of fast track special courts for handling cases of rape and crimes under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act will remain a critical focus in 2025. The ministry is expected to tighten its monitoring of state-level compliance and increase the utilization of central funds allocated for justice delivery, senior officials of the ministry said. With the Centre's scheme requiring fast track special courts to exclusively handle sensitive cases, 2025 is likely to see renewed efforts to operationalize additional courts and integrate them with support systems like one-stop centres, one of the officials

Women hold only 10% key managerial personnel positions in India: Report

Women constitute less than 20 per cent of the overall workforce, and only 10 per cent hold key managerial personnel (KMP) positions even as companies are making efforts for diversity, according to a report. Women constitute less than 20 per cent of the overall workforce and hold just over 10 per cent of KMP positions, while female directors account for less than 20 per cent of the total board director positions, according to the 'Mind the Gender Gap' report by CFA Institute and CFA Society India. The 'Mind the Gender Gap' report is based on insights from 300 Indian companies through their Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) disclosures. The report also revealed that women board members and KMPs receive significantly lower compensation compared to their male counterparts, highlighting a gender pay disparity at the top level. Female directors earn only 44 per cent of the median salary of their male counterparts, while female KMPs receive less than 25 per cent of

Women's representation up significantly on boards of top 100 cos: Report

The representation of women on the boards of India's top 100 companies has significantly improved over the past four years, with only five firms lacking a woman independent director as of March 2024, according to a survey released on Monday. The 5th Annual Corporate Governance Survey by Excellence Enablers are based on the annual reports and website disclosures of Nifty 100 companies. As of March 31, 2024, five companies, including four public sector undertakings (PSUs) and one public sector bank (PSB), did not have a woman independent director on their boards. While this is an improvement compared to 21 such companies in FY 2021, the persistent lapses highlight the need for stricter enforcement, the survey revealed. While having at least one woman independent director (ID) on boards has been mandated under Section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013, and Sebi's LODR regulations, there is no similar provision to ensure that women executives are nurtured to graduate to board positions, ..

Strong, respectable position of women symbol of prosperity: Rajasthan CM

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday said that a strong and respectable position of women is a symbol of an advanced and prosperous society and nation. Keeping this in mind, one year of our government has been dedicated to respect, security and welfare of women, he added. The chief minister said mothers and sisters had an important participation in the opportunity given to us last year by the people of the state to serve. Swami Vivekananda also said that welfare of the world is not possible without improving the status of women, he added. The chief minister was addressing the state level women's conference organized in Udaipur on the occasion of completion of one year of the state government. Sharma said that both men and women have a role in making any society advanced and progressive. He said that women as a mother contribute significantly from the beginning in the development of culture, civilization and human qualities in their child. The chief minister said

Tripura to have 114,000 'Lakhpati Didis' by end of current FY: CM

Lauding the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) for spearheading women empowerment, Chief Minister Manik Saha on Saturday asserted that the northeastern state will have 1.14 lakh 'Lakhpati Didis' by the end of the current fiscal. At present, the state has 83,000 'Lakhpati Didis' who earn Rs 1 lakh or more annually by engaging themselves in activities of self-help groups (SHGs). While addressing the inaugural programme of SARAS Mela at Badharghat International Fair Ground in West Tripura district, the chief minister said the success of SHGs has changed the rural economy over the last few years. "The number of SHGs, which was only 4,000 before 2018, has now increased to 52,000. Altogether, 4.73 lakh rural women got engaged in various self-employment trades. The government has allocated Rs 69 crore as revolving fund so far (after the BJP came to power in Tripura) and Rs 626.97 crore community investment fund has been channelised to the SHGs," Saha said. Showering praise on the rol

Will take Jharkhand forward by strengthening all sections of society: CM

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday said his government would take the state forward by strengthening all sections of the society. Soren said his government made all efforts to empower women in the state. Jharkhand became the first state in the country, which has increased the monthly financial assistance to women to Rs 2,500 from Rs 1,000 under 'Maiyan Samman Yojana', the CM claimed. Soren was speaking at a government function at Bhognadih in Sahibganj, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 331 projects worth around Rs 350 crore for Sahibganj and Pakur districts. He also distributed assets worth around Rs 187 crore among beneficiaries of various government schemes in the two districts. The CM said that the people of Jharkhand have again elected Abua Sarkar (our government)' and voted for the state's dignity, development of tribals, farmers, workers, women and protection of 'jal, jungle and jamin' (water, forest and land). The state's mineral resou

PM Modi launches LIC's 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' to empower women agents

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' of LIC here under which 2 lakh woman insurance agents will be appointed over the next three years. 'Bima Sakhi Yojana', an initiative of state-owned LIC, is designed to empower women aged 18-70 years who are Class X pass. They will receive specialised training and a stipend for the first three years to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness. Under the scheme, the woman agents will also get a stipend of Rs 7,000 per month for the first year, Rs 6,000 per month in the second year and Rs 5,000 per month in the third year. Bima Sakhis will also get the benefit of commission. The plan is to appoint 2 lakh Bima Sakhi over three years. After training, they can serve as LIC agents and the graduate Bima Sakhis would have the opportunity to qualify for being considered for Development Officer roles in LIC. Prime Minister will also distribute appointment certificates to prospective Bima Sakhis. The Prime Min

Need to create Indian model of women's empowerment: Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday stressed upon the need to establish a level playing field for women in all spheres and "Indian model of women empowerment" has to be created to ensure that women belong to all decision-making structures and life choices. The minister made the comments at the inauguration of a one-day workshop 'Shaping Academic Excellence for VIKSIT Bharat @2047' for women leaders. "The emerging new world order will be driven by knowledge and women are breaking glass ceilings, challenging gender roles and their participation is increasing in all spheres, including in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). It is important to establish a level playing field for women in all spheres," he said. "Indian model of women empowerment has to be created to ensure that women belong to all decision-making structures and life choices. As we move towards realising the goal of Viksit Bharat, Nari Shakti will assume more decision-making roles," h

Uber launches women-only bike taxi service 'Moto Women' in Bengaluru

Rolled out first in Bengaluru, Uber has plans to scale it up in other top cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad

T'gana govt aims to make 10 mn members of women SHGs crorepatis: CM Reddy

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday said his government is moving ahead with plans to make one crore members of women self-help groups (SHGs) "crorepatis" by involving them in various business activities. Speaking after the inauguration of the "Indira Mahila Shakti Bazar" of women SHGs here in the evening along with Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Reddy said his government is implementing various schemes for the welfare of women, including free travel for them in state-run buses, supplying LPG cylinders for Rs 500, free power supply up to 200 units for the poor, stitching clothes for students and "Indira Mahila Shakti" canteens. The government is also allotting solar power plants to SHGs, he added. The total number of members in SHGs at present is 65 lakh and it should become one crore, the chief minister said. "It is your responsibility to make it one crore. It is my responsibility to make one crore (women) crorepatis," he said. Next year, he would visit the 10 undivi

Several measures undertaken to address 'Sarpanch Pati' practice: Govt

The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj is undertaking several measures, including the use of community radio, to spread awareness against the "Sarpanch Pati" system, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The "Sarpanch Pati" system is a practice in which the husband of an elected woman sarpanch wields the actual power. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj SP Singh Baghel said various modes of information, education and communication activities, media engagement, conferences, seminars, training programmes, screening of public service awareness films, broadcasting of programmes through community radio were being done to spread awareness on issues such as the "Sarpanch Pati" system. Programmes such as "Jan Jan Tak Jankari" are being broadcast through 15 community radio stations in Bihar, Karnataka and Maharashtra on a pilot basis to create awareness about the practice of proxy-sarpanch, Baghel said. The ministry i

WCD min slams govts over non-implementation of women empowerment schemes

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Tuesday accused the Delhi and West Bengal governments of failing to implement crucial women's safety measures despite central funding and support. Addressing the media, she alleged that the Delhi government had not paid the staff of One-Stop Centres (OSCs) established under the Nirbhaya Fund to assist women in distress. The Delhi High Court last month asked the Delhi government's revenue department to take steps to streamline and pay outstanding salaries of the staff working at the OSCs and take action against delinquent officials. "The Centre has consistently supported states through initiatives like the Nirbhaya Fund, but it is disappointing to see delays in implementation at the state level," the minister said. Devi also criticised the West Bengal government for not operationalising Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to expedite cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Reaffirming the ..

Nine states bet $18 billion on women's empowerment: Goldman Sachs

Cash transfer schemes have emerged as a powerful strategy for ruling state governments to attract women voters, often influencing election outcomes

We have achieved gender parity in edu, focusing on pay gap: India at UN

India Tuesday said it has achieved gender parity across all levels of education and is now prioritising increasing women's workforce participation in non-conventional sectors and bridging gender pay gaps and the digital divide. Delivering the country statement at the UN Ministerial Conference on women empowerment here, Preetam B Yashwant, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, said India has worked on gender-responsive solutions to reduce "time poverty" of women such as clean cooking fuels, tap water connections and construction of toilets. "Aligned to regional trends demonstrating reduced inequalities in education, today, I am happy to share that India has achieved gender parity across all levels of education. We have one of the highest proportions of women in STEM disciplines globally," he said. Yashwant said that India has adopted a multi-pronged approach to address the issues of women on a life-cycle continuum basis for their educational, social, economic and

Niti Aayog's WEP partners with Urban Company for women empowerment

Niti Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) has partnered with Urban Company to empower women salon and beauty parlour owners, an official statement said on Friday. According to the statement, WEP, under its award-to-reward initiative, launched the pilot to support women MSMEs to scale up their businesses in the beauty and wellness sector. Women entrepreneurs will be offered training across six key ecosystem needs, including skilling, legal and compliance, access to finance, market, and business development services, along with mentorship and networking, it added. A baseline study conducted by MicroSave Consulting identified four key sectors with more than 1,00,000 women MSMEs -- beauty & wellness, textile manufacturing, retail trade and food & beverages. The statement said this pilot initiative aims to develop process templates by leveraging insights and learnings gathered through the programme and upscaling women MSMEs nationwide. Urban Company will spearhead the ...

Ladli Bahna aid to go up to Rs 5,000: MP CM; Cong says poll code violation

The monthly financial assistance being given to eligible women in Madhya Pradesh under the Ladli Bahna Yojana will gradually go up to Rs 5,000, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Saturday. The state government currently transfers Rs 1,250 per month to bank accounts of women beneficiaries of this scheme, launched ahead of last year's assembly elections. Reacting to the CM's announcement, the Congress termed it a corrupt practice and a gross violation of the model code in force for the upcoming bypolls for two assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh. "Sisters, did anyone ever deposit money in your account? Ask this to the Congress people. You (Congress) used to loot and snatch from people," Yadav said while addressing a rally in the Budhni assembly seat, where a bypoll will be held on November 13. He said the Congress had alleged that the monthly cash transfer scheme was launched by then CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan for the elections and it would be discontinued. "You (Congress) keep making no

MP CM Mohan Yadav transfers Rs 1,573 cr to 12.9 mn 'Ladli Behnas'

CM Yadav deposited Rs 1573 crores in the bank accounts of 1.29 crore beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna Yojana across the state as part of a monthly instalment of Rs 1250

Not countering Ladki Bahin scheme, will give more benefits to women: Sule

NCP (SP) working Supriya Sule has said the opposition MVA is not planning to counter the Maharashtra government's flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana, but questioned the amount provided under the scheme in view of the soaring inflation. Under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, women with an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh are given Rs 1500 per month as aid. On the scheme being called a "gamechanger" ahead of the November 20 state assembly polls, Sule in an interview to PTI said, "All depends on how you see it and who is saying it." 'Rs 1,500 is given to women and at the same time oil prices, food inflation is at an all-time high. Sales dropped during Diwali and the state GDP is not flattering. Crimes against women have gone up,' she pointed out. Sule said the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the NCP (SP), Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), is not attempting to counter the Ladki Bahin scheme. 'The Congress government had brought Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana for women. We didn't scream fr

Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar succeeds Rekha Sharma as new NCW chairperson

Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar has been appointed the ninth chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) succeeding Rekha Sharma, according to an official order. The appointment made under Section 3 of the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, will be for a period of three years or until she reaches the age of 65, whichever comes first, a government notification issued on Saturday said. Rahatkar's tenure will begin with immediate effect. The announcement will also be published in the Gazette of India. In addition to the appointment of Rahatkar, Archana Majumdar has been officially named a member of the NCW for a tenure of three years, as per a notification issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The NCW, a statutory body, is empowered to work towards the advancement of women's rights. Its mandate includes reviewing the constitutional and legal safeguards provided for women. According to a statement issued by the Women and Child Development Ministry, Rahatkar h