Policy to Practice: How India Has Advanced Women’s Empowerment Since 1995

As the world prepares to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2025, marking 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration, India showcases remarkable progress in women's empowerment through comprehensive policy initiatives.

In the three decades since the Beijing Declaration of 1995 established the most progressive blueprint for women's rights worldwide, India has transformed its approach from women's development to women-led development. This paradigm shift reflects in the impressive statistics across education, healthcare, economic participation, digital inclusion, and safety measures implemented by the government.

You can read : International Women's Day 2025: History, Theme, Fact and Quiz

The Beijing Declaration:

The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, widely recognized as the most comprehensive global policy framework for advancing women's rights. This milestone coincides with International Women's Day's theme for 2025: "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment." The theme emphasizes inclusive development where no woman or girl is left behind, with special focus on empowering young women and adolescent girls as catalysts for lasting change.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent initiative inviting women to share their inspiring journeys on the NaMo App Open Forum ahead of International Women's Day highlights the government's commitment to amplifying women's voices. Selected women will take over the Prime Minister's social media accounts on March 8, showcasing their experiences of empowerment, perseverance, and success.

Constitutional and Legal Framework: The Foundation for Equality

India's commitment to gender equality is anchored in its Constitution, with provisions in the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, and Directive Principles of State Policy guaranteeing equal rights. Article 14 ensures equality before law, Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Article 51(a)(e) encourages citizens to renounce practices derogatory to women's dignity.

The country has strengthened this commitment by being a signatory to major international treaties, including:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)
United Nations Convention Against Corruption (2003)
Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development

Education: The Key to Women's Empowerment

Perhaps the most striking transformation has been in education, where female enrollment has surpassed male enrollment since 2017-18. The data presents a compelling picture of progress:

Higher Education: Women account for 2.07 crore enrollments (2021-22), representing nearly 50% of the total 4.33 crore students

STEM Fields: Women constitute 42.57% (41.9 lakh) of total STEM enrollment, challenging traditional gender norms in technical fields

Faculty Representation: The female-to-100-male faculty ratio has improved to 77 in 2021-22 from 63 in 2014-15.

This progress stems from targeted initiatives:

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Focusing on improving child sex ratio and promoting girls' education
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: Supporting school infrastructure and girl-friendly facilities
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Prioritizing gender equity and inclusion
Eklavya Model Residential Schools: Promoting quality education for tribal girls

In STEM education particularly, programs like Vigyan Jyoti (launched in 2020) promote participation from underrepresented areas, while the Overseas Fellowship Scheme supports women scientists in global research opportunities. Digital initiatives including the National Digital Library, SWAYAM, and SWAYAM PRABHA ensure women have access to online learning resources.

More than 10 lakh girl students have benefited from various scholarships specifically targeting STEM fields, while skill development initiatives under the Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), and Women Industrial Training Institutes provide vocational and technical training.

Health and Nutrition: Impressive Gains in Key Indicators

Health indicators have shown significant improvement, reflecting enhanced access to healthcare services:

Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Reduced from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20) per lakh live births
Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR): Decreased from 43 (2015) to 32 (2020)
Life Expectancy: Increased to 71.4 years (2016-20) for women, with projections reaching 74.7 years by 2031-36

These improvements are supported by targeted schemes:

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Has disbursed ₹17,362 crore to 3.81 crore pregnant and lactating mothers as of January 2025
Jal Jeevan Mission: Provided potable tap water to 15.4 crore households, significantly reducing health risks for women
Swachh Bharat Mission: Led to the construction of 11.8 crore toilets, improving sanitation and hygiene
Ujjwala Yojana: Distributed over 10.3 crore clean cooking gas connections, reducing indoor air pollution and associated health risks

The Poshan Abhiyaan has strengthened maternal and child nutrition programs, addressing malnutrition issues that disproportionately affect women and girls.

Economic Empowerment: Financial Inclusion and Workforce Participation

Women's participation in major household decisions has increased from 84% (2015) to 88.7% (2020), indicating greater domestic autonomy. Financial inclusion initiatives have shown impressive results:

PM Jan Dhan Yojana: Over 30.46 crore accounts opened, with 55% belonging to women
Stand-Up India Scheme: 84% of loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore sanctioned to women entrepreneurs
MUDRA Scheme: 69% of microloans directed to women-led enterprises
Self-Help Groups under NRLM: Connecting 10 crore women through 9 million SHGs
Bank Sakhis Model: 6,094 women banking correspondents processed transactions worth $40 million in 2020

Women are making strides in traditionally male-dominated sectors:

Armed Forces: Entry into National Defence Academy, combat roles, and Sainik Schools
Civil Aviation: India boasts over 15% women pilots, significantly higher than the global average of 5%
Startups: 10% of funds in the Small Industries Development Bank of India reserved for women-led startups

Working Women's Hostels (Sakhi Niwas) have established 523 facilities benefiting 26,306 women, enabling workforce participation by providing safe accommodation.

Digital and Technological Empowerment: Bridging the Gender Digital Divide

India's digital initiatives are ensuring women participate fully in the technological revolution:

PMGDISHA (Prime Minister's Digital Saksharta Abhiyan): 60 million rural citizens trained in digital literacy
Common Service Centres (CSCs): 67,000 women entrepreneurs running digital service centers
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Bridging healthcare accessibility through digital solutions
SANKALP Hubs for Women Empowerment: Functioning in 742 districts across 35 States/UTs

Digital banking and Aadhaar-linked services ensure financial security, while government e-marketplaces encourage female entrepreneurship in online businesses.

Safety and Protection: Comprehensive Legal and Institutional Support

India has implemented robust legislative measures to ensure women's safety:

Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018: Enhanced penalties for crimes against women
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Providing legal recourse against domestic abuse
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013: Creating safer work environments
POCSO Act, 2012: Strengthening laws against child abuse
Ban on Triple Talaq (2019): Criminalizing instant divorce practices
Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Penalizing dowry-related offenses
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: Protecting minors from forced marriages

The Nirbhaya Fund, with ₹11,298 crore allocated, supports various safety initiatives:

One Stop Centres (OSCs): 802 centers functional, assisting over 1 million women
Emergency Response Support System (ERSS - 112): Handling 38.34 crore calls
Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): 750 operational courts, 408 exclusively for POCSO cases
Cyber Crime Helpline (1930): Providing support against digital crimes
Safe City Projects: Implemented in 8 cities to enhance women's safety
Women Help Desks: 14,658 established in Police Stations, with 13,743 headed by women

Recent institutional reforms include the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which strengthens provisions for gender justice, enhances punishment for sexual offenses and trafficking, and improves witness protection. Women's representation in Central Armed Police Forces has been boosted with 33% reservation in select forces, while Nari Adalat initiatives are expanding after successful pilots in Assam and Jammu & Kashmir.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these impressive gains, challenges persist. Gender disparities in workforce participation remain significant, with cultural barriers, safety concerns, and unpaid care work limiting women's economic potential. The digital divide, while narrowing, requires continued attention, particularly in rural areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in women's employment and increased domestic responsibilities. However, it also accelerated digital adoption and flexible work arrangements that could benefit women's participation in the future economy.

As India celebrates International Women's Day 2025, the data presents a compelling narrative of progress. The transition from women's development to women-led development represents a profound shift in approach, recognizing women not just as beneficiaries but as drivers of national progress.

The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration offers an opportunity to reflect on achievements while renewing commitment to addressing persistent challenges. With sustained focus on education, health, economic participation, digital inclusion, and safety, India is positioning itself as a leader in gender-responsive policymaking, working toward a future where women's empowerment is not just a goal but a lived reality.

This comprehensive approach to women's empowerment aligns with India's vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, recognizing that no country can achieve its full potential without the equal participation of women in all spheres of life.

SOURCE-PIB