New Delhi, March 8 (NationPress) On this Sunday, the International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated globally to recognize the numerous social, economic, cultural, and political milestones achieved by women.

This year's IWD theme advocates for a 'Give to Gain' global initiative aimed at fostering collaboration and unity to create a fair and nurturing environment for women and girls. This theme echoes India's own narrative of women empowerment, where over time, Nari Shakti has become fundamental to the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.

Recently, particularly in the last decade, the government's strategy has transformed from development focused on women to a model driven by women themselves, acknowledging their capabilities and positioning them as pivotal agents of economic and social advancement.

Initiatives such as the Lakhpati Didi programme, NaMo Drone Didi Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, among others, highlight the government's priorities, emphasizing the role of women as essential players in India's growth narrative.

Notable government flagship projects such as Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Swachh Bharat Mission have laid the groundwork for significant changes and have emerged as transformative forces.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, over 10.56 crore LPG connections have been issued to women, which has significantly decreased their exposure to air pollution, enhancing their health and dignity.

The Jal Jeevan Mission, initiated in August 2019, has increased rural tap water accessibility from 16.72% to more than 81.57% of households, substantially lessening the burden on women who previously spent considerable time collecting water.

Thanks to the Swachh Bharat Mission, more than 12 crore toilets have been built, which has resulted in improved sanitation and enhanced privacy and dignity for women, also contributing to better public health outcomes.

Through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), millions of women have transitioned from unpaid work to organized entrepreneurship. Currently, it is estimated that over 10 crore rural households are part of more than 90 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

The Lakhpati Didi programme has empowered women to develop sustainable livelihoods by establishing their own businesses.

With the Drone Didi Yojana, Self-Help Groups are now operating agricultural drones, boosting their incomes while integrating rural women into cutting-edge technology sectors. This initiative provides an 80% subsidy for procurement, with a budget of Rs 1,261 crore aimed at supporting 15,000 SHGs.

Since its launch in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana has sanctioned over 52 crore loans totaling Rs 32.61 lakh crore, with women comprising 68% of the beneficiaries.

Women represent approximately 56% of Jan Dhan account holders, while the Stand-Up India initiative has backed over 2.01 lakh women entrepreneurs in starting new businesses. Other initiatives like Womaniya on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) facilitate direct connections between women entrepreneurs and government buyers.

About 45% of beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana are women, and under the Start-up India program, 75,000 women-led startups are receiving support.

To ensure women are equal partners in both public and professional arenas, regulations such as Mission Shakti and the POSH Act have effectively addressed long-standing discrimination and bias.

Mission Shakti has established institutional support systems, including One Stop Centres, a Women Helpline, and platforms like SHe-Box, all of which offer medical, legal, and counseling assistance to women in distress.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) guarantees safe working conditions in both public and private sectors. This not only enhances accountability in workplaces but also fortifies women's right to work with dignity.

Today, the emphasis on uplifting women and their contribution to the nation's growth index remains central to policy-making.

Millions of women are involved in self-help groups, many are at the helm of multinational companies, and numerous marginalized women are being integrated into financial systems to seize entrepreneurial opportunities.

This year’s budget stands out as one of the most substantial ‘gender budgets,’ with approximately 9% of the Union Budget allocated to programs promoting gender equality, according to a government report.

A total of Rs 5.01 lakh crore has been allocated by 53 Ministries/Departments and 5 Union Territories across various sectors, signifying a shift from mere symbolic inclusion to a commitment to sustained investment in women's development.