Collaborative Approach Essential for Women’s Empowerment: Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi

The NITI-SSM Workshop on "Sustainable Development Goal-5: Gender Equality" was organised today at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad in the special presence of Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi. The workshop was jointly organised by NITI Aayog, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Gates Foundation. The Union Minister joined the programme virtually and launched the SDG-5 Gender Equality State and District Reports.

Addressing the workshop, the Minister Annapurna Devi stated that this initiative is a significant and commendable step towards realizing the vision of human-centred development through data policy convergence and local action. She said that when governments, society and institutions work together, the pace and impact of transformation becomes far more effective and inclusive. She further stated that the deliberations and discussions held during the workshop would play a vital role in advancing the collective vision of "Viksit Bharat."

Smt. Annapurna Devi further stated that in today's digital era, data has become the foundation of policy-making. Technology, artificial intelligence and real-time data systems have enabled more accurate and impactful interventions. She emphasized that technology-driven monitoring, timely evaluation and local feedback mechanisms are especially crucial for schemes related to women and children. The Minister noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly progressing towards the vision of "Women-Led Development."

The Minister highlighted that schemes such as Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya are working simultaneously on the three pillars of nutrition, safety and empowerment. Through the Poshan Tracker App, real-time monitoring of the health of over 10 crore mothers and children has become possible. She further informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Matri Vandana Yojana, more than 4.25 crore pregnant and lactating women have received financial assistance exceeding Rs. 20,000 crore directly into their bank accounts through DBT. This has contributed significantly to improving maternal and child health and reducing maternal mortality. The Minister also noted that initiatives under Mission Shakti, including One Stop Centres, Women Helplines, Women Help Desks, Fast Track Courts and Safe City Projects, have created a strong safety and support ecosystem for women across the country.

She stated that women's workforce participation in India has increased from 23.3 per cent in 2017–18 to approximately 41 per cent in 2023–24, marking a significant step towards women empowerment. She added that more than 10 crore women across the country are now associated with Self-Help Groups, writing a new chapter of self-reliance in the rural economy. She further highlighted that over 14 lakh elected women representatives are leading rural development across the nation. Women Sarpanches give priority to health, education and future of the village. Terming the "Nari Shakti Vandana Act" as a historic step, she said that by providing reservation to women in political representation, women-led development has been given constitutional power.

The Gujarat Minister for Women and Child Development Manisha Vakil, who also present at the workshop, stated that women empowerment is not merely a development agenda but a foundation of justice, equality, dignity and social transformation. She emphasised that development becomes meaningful only when it is inclusive and equitable.

The Minister said that a strong foundation of women-centric governance in Gujarat was laid when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Initiatives such as "Beti Bachao," "Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav," and "Shala Praveshotsav" evolved beyond government schemes into large-scale social movements, significantly transforming societal attitudes towards the girl child. She said that the Gujarat government considers women not just as beneficiaries of welfare schemes but as equal partners in development. During the financial year 2026-27, the Gujarat government has made a provision of Rs. 1.62 lakh crore under gender budgeting, which is 39.94 percent of the total state budget. This allocation shows the state's commitment to women-sensitive and equitable policies. The Minister said that maternity benefit coverage in Gujarat has increased from 8.9 percent to 97.7 percent, while the institutional delivery rate has reached 99.94 percent. There has also been a significant increase in institutional credit support to women's self-help groups.

In the end, the Minister said that only schemes are not enough for women empowerment, but social mindset change and continuous awareness at the mass level are also necessary. Increasing women's participation in the workforce, strengthening digital inclusion, promoting women entrepreneurship and creating safe workplaces are the main goals of the coming time. He expressed confidence that this workshop will prove to be important in achieving the goals of SDG-5 and building a more equitable and safe society.

In addition, the program was specially attended by NITI Aayog Member Shri Rajiv Kumar Sen, IIM Ahmedabad Professor Smt. Vidya Vemireddy, NITI Aayog Program Director Smt. Anna Roy, IIM Ahmedabad Director Professor Shri Bharat Bhaskar, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India Shri Stephen Preisner, NITI Aayog Member Shri Dr. M. Srinivas. The delegates present at the event considered women-led development as the greatest need of the hour to realize the vision of "Viksit Bharat" and "Viksit Gujarat".

The NITI-SSM Workshop on "Sustainable Development Goal-5: Gender Equality" was organised today at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad in the special presence of Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi. The workshop was jointly organised by NITI Aayog, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and Gates Foundation. The Union Minister joined the programme virtually and launched the SDG-5 Gender Equality State and District Reports.

Addressing the workshop, the Minister Annapurna Devi stated that this initiative is a significant and commendable step towards realizing the vision of human-centred development through data policy convergence and local action. She said that when governments, society and institutions work together, the pace and impact of transformation becomes far more effective and inclusive. She further stated that the deliberations and discussions held during the workshop would play a vital role in advancing the collective vision of "Viksit Bharat."

Smt. Annapurna Devi further stated that in today's digital era, data has become the foundation of policy-making. Technology, artificial intelligence and real-time data systems have enabled more accurate and impactful interventions. She emphasized that technology-driven monitoring, timely evaluation and local feedback mechanisms are especially crucial for schemes related to women and children. The Minister noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly progressing towards the vision of "Women-Led Development."

The Minister highlighted that schemes such as Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya are working simultaneously on the three pillars of nutrition, safety and empowerment. Through the Poshan Tracker App, real-time monitoring of the health of over 10 crore mothers and children has become possible. She further informed that under the Pradhan Mantri Matri Vandana Yojana, more than 4.25 crore pregnant and lactating women have received financial assistance exceeding Rs. 20,000 crore directly into their bank accounts through DBT. This has contributed significantly to improving maternal and child health and reducing maternal mortality. The Minister also noted that initiatives under Mission Shakti, including One Stop Centres, Women Helplines, Women Help Desks, Fast Track Courts and Safe City Projects, have created a strong safety and support ecosystem for women across the country.

She stated that women's workforce participation in India has increased from 23.3 per cent in 2017–18 to approximately 41 per cent in 2023–24, marking a significant step towards women empowerment. She added that more than 10 crore women across the country are now associated with Self-Help Groups, writing a new chapter of self-reliance in the rural economy. She further highlighted that over 14 lakh elected women representatives are leading rural development across the nation. Women Sarpanches give priority to health, education and future of the village. Terming the "Nari Shakti Vandana Act" as a historic step, she said that by providing reservation to women in political representation, women-led development has been given constitutional power.

The Gujarat Minister for Women and Child Development Manisha Vakil, who also present at the workshop, stated that women empowerment is not merely a development agenda but a foundation of justice, equality, dignity and social transformation. She emphasised that development becomes meaningful only when it is inclusive and equitable.

The Minister said that a strong foundation of women-centric governance in Gujarat was laid when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Initiatives such as "Beti Bachao," "Kanya Kelavani Mahotsav," and "Shala Praveshotsav" evolved beyond government schemes into large-scale social movements, significantly transforming societal attitudes towards the girl child. She said that the Gujarat government considers women not just as beneficiaries of welfare schemes but as equal partners in development. During the financial year 2026-27, the Gujarat government has made a provision of Rs. 1.62 lakh crore under gender budgeting, which is 39.94 percent of the total state budget. This allocation shows the state's commitment to women-sensitive and equitable policies. The Minister said that maternity benefit coverage in Gujarat has increased from 8.9 percent to 97.7 percent, while the institutional delivery rate has reached 99.94 percent. There has also been a significant increase in institutional credit support to women's self-help groups.

In the end, the Minister said that only schemes are not enough for women empowerment, but social mindset change and continuous awareness at the mass level are also necessary. Increasing women's participation in the workforce, strengthening digital inclusion, promoting women entrepreneurship and creating safe workplaces are the main goals of the coming time. He expressed confidence that this workshop will prove to be important in achieving the goals of SDG-5 and building a more equitable and safe society.

In addition, the program was specially attended by NITI Aayog Member Shri Rajiv Kumar Sen, IIM Ahmedabad Professor Smt. Vidya Vemireddy, NITI Aayog Program Director Smt. Anna Roy, IIM Ahmedabad Director Professor Shri Bharat Bhaskar, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India Shri Stephen Preisner, NITI Aayog Member Shri Dr. M. Srinivas. The delegates present at the event considered women-led development as the greatest need of the hour to realize the vision of "Viksit Bharat" and "Viksit Gujarat".