Synopsis
On March 10, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta stated that women’s empowerment is a collective duty requiring societal commitment. He highlighted key statistics and government initiatives aimed at enhancing gender equality and women's roles in various sectors.Key Takeaways
- Women’s empowerment is a shared responsibility.
- Active participation of women is crucial for national progress.
- India's sex ratio improved from 918 to 933.
- Women's workforce participation rose to 42 percent.
- The Women’s Reservation Bill boosts political representation.
New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Vijender Gupta, emphasized on Monday that empowering women transcends mere rhetoric; it is a shared responsibility that necessitates dedication from every segment of society.
During an event at Delhi University celebrating International Women’s Day, Gupta underscored that no nation can advance without the active involvement of women.
He referred to women as the foundation of society and asserted that a country cannot achieve economic or social strength without ensuring gender equality.
In light of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” he called for tangible initiatives to fast-track gender equality.
Gupta noted that this day serves as a reminder to enhance efforts for women’s safety, education, employment, and leadership.
Highlighting important statistics, he mentioned that India’s sex ratio improved from 918 in 2014 to 933 in 2022.
The participation of women in the workforce has also seen a significant increase, rising from 23 percent in 2017-18 to 42 percent in 2023-24, he stated.
The number of female officers in the Indian Armed Forces has increased by 3.5 times since 2015; 48 percent of startups in India now have at least one female director, and nearly 50 percent of STEM graduates in India are women — the highest percentage globally.
Gupta highlighted the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for women's empowerment, noting that 56 percent of accounts opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana belong to women, supporting financial inclusion.
He added that 70 percent of loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana have been allocated to women entrepreneurs, aiding their business endeavors.
“Over 10 crore women have benefited from free LPG connections under the Ujjwala Yojana, enhancing their health and quality of life,” he continued.
More than 4 crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana have been assigned solely or jointly in women’s names, ensuring housing security.
The enactment of the Women’s Reservation Bill has significantly increased women’s representation in politics, he added.
