New Delhi, March 11 Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur highlighted India's progress towards women-led development and reaffirmed the country's commitment to advancing gender equality and strengthening access to justice at a United Nations event in New York.
Delivering India's national intervention during the general discussion at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) on Tuesday, Thakur said the country's motto of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" has guided its vision of inclusive growth.
She said that over 10 crore women organized into nearly 90 lakh self-help groups have transformed the rural economy by fostering grassroots leadership and entrepreneurship, an official statement issued here said.
The minister also noted that women are leading more than 1,000 start-ups supported under the Atal Incubation Centre scheme, while over eight lakh women directors are associated with active Indian companies.
More than 2.5 crore rural women have been trained in digital services under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PM-DISHA), helping bridge the gender digital divide, she said.
Thakur said sustained policy interventions have contributed to increasing India's female labour force participation rate to 41.7 per cent.
Highlighting women's participation in public life, she said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam provides for reservation of one-third of seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies, while over 14 lakh women, constituting 46% of all elected representatives, serve in Panchayati Raj institutions.
She also said around 39,000 children are benefiting from creche facilities under the Palna scheme, while over 72 per cent of the 2.9 crore rural houses constructed under the government's affordable housing scheme are wholly or jointly owned by women.
Referring to healthcare access, Thakur said 141 dedicated healthcare packages under the Ayushman Bharat scheme cover more than 20.8 crore women cardholders.
Thakur also held a series of bilateral meetings with international counterparts and senior UN leadership to discuss cooperation on advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.
In her remarks, the MoS highlighted India's sustained efforts towards women's empowerment and gender equality, and emphasised strengthening future collaboration between India and UN partners to accelerate progress on gender-responsive policies and programmes.