India’s Achievements in advancing Women’s Rights

Context: As India continues its journey toward gender equality, the Beijing Platform for Action remains a guiding framework.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Essay: Women Empowerment in India- Achievements.

About Beijing Platform for Action

• Beijing Declaration was a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) at the end of the Fourth World Conference on Women in September 1995. 
• The resolution was adopted to promulgate a set of principles concerning the equality of men and women.
• It covers 12 key critical matters of concern and areas for action considered to represent the main obstacles in women empowerment.

India’s Achievements in Advancing Women’s Rights

• Maternal and Reproductive Health:
  • Institutional Deliveries: Increased to 95% due to initiatives like PM Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and PM Matru Vandana Yojana.
  • Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Declined from 130 (2014) to 97 (2020) per 1,00,000 births (Sample Registration System data).
  • Modern contraceptive use: 56.5% of married women now opt for modern contraceptives, enhancing reproductive autonomy.
• Women’s access to Healthcare:
  • Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: World’s largest government-funded healthcare scheme has provided millions of women with free medical treatment.
• Education and Skill Development:
  • Improvement in child sex ratio: Achieved through the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative.
  • Higher retention rates in education: National Education Policy 2020 has integrated education with skills training.
  • STEM opportunities for women: Encouragement for women 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 via Self-help groups (SHGs): 
    • National Rural and Urban Livelihood Missions connected 100 million women to financial networks.
  • Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission provided credit and livelihood opportunities.
  • Digital Financial Inclusion: 
    • Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has boosted women’s participation in digital savings and investments.
    • Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan has trained 35 million rural women in digital literacy.
• Gender-Responsive Budgeting:
  • Gender Budget’s share in the national budget increased from 6.8% (2024-25) to 8.8% (2025-26). 
  • $55.2 billion allocated to gender-specific programs.
• Women in Leadership:
  • Young women are emerging as leaders in climate action, digital entrepreneurship, and governance.
  • Initiatives like Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) Project (which supports women in STEM) and G20 TechEquity Platform (which has trained thousands of young women in emerging technologies) reflect this transformation.
• Political Representation:
  • The Women's Reservation Act guarantees 33% representation for women in legislatures.
  • 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:
  • Persistent Issue: Despite the legal framework women continue to face violence.
  • Government measures: 
    • 770 One Stop Centres established for medical, legal, and psychological aid to survivors.
    • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (enforced in July 2024) strengthens legal protection for women.
    • Odisha Blockchain Initiative: Ensures swift and confidential support for survivors of violence.
    • Gender-Responsive Policing: Rajasthan Police Academy & UN Population Fund partnership has built survivor trust and access to justice.

Way Forward

• The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration highlights that gender equality is a global imperative.
• India’s approach, backed by strong government leadership, global partnerships, and policy innovation, serves as a model for inclusive and sustainable development.
• Key future priorities: 
  • Strengthen collaborations with local and global partners.
  • Invest in young women’s leadership in governance and economy.
  • Address systemic barriers such as digital gender divide, safety concerns, and economic dependency.

By reinforcing women-led development, India continues to set a global benchmark for gender equality and social transformation.