Mother’s success is measured by the moment her child can move forward without depending on her, said Smriti Irani.
Former Union Minister Smriti Irani called for a broader understanding of women’s empowerment, linking it to parenting, healthcare, political representation, social attitudes and the emerging challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Speaking at the We Women Want Conclave in Delhi, Irani said women’s progress should not be viewed through the lens of a particular generation or age group. She argued that India’s future must be shaped collectively, with citizens of different ages contributing to the country’s development. Irani , who spoke from her own experience as a mother to a 10-yearold daughter, described motherhood as a process of preparing children to eventually stand independently. “A mother’s success is perhaps measured by the moment her child can confidently move forward without depending on her,” she said, describing parenting as a relationship in which a mother spends years preparing her child to become self reliant.
She called motherhood a “bittersweet” journey because parents devote themselves to raising children even as they know that independence is the ultimate goal. “You spend years creating a life for your child, knowing that one day that child will build a life of their own,” Irani said. Cautioning against universal prescriptions for parenting, she said every family and child has different circumstances. The one constant, she added, should be unconditional support. “When it comes to children, the most important foundation is love, support and the confidence that they can always turn to you,” she said. Irani also criticised the tendency to divide society into rigid age groups, particularly while discussing India’s aspirations for 2047. She said the country’s development cannot be assigned exclusively to younger generations while overlooking the contributions of older citizens. “India’s future cannot belong to only one age bracket.
Every generation has a role to play in building the country,” she said, warning that age-based divisions could become another form of social exclusion. On women’s political participation, Irani said the legislation providing for greater representation of women in elected bodies was an important step. She also highlighted policy interventions in areas such as sanitation, financial inclusion, housing and healthcare, arguing that these measures have had a direct impact on women’s lives. She pointed to women’s participation in formal financial systems and credit programmes as evidence of their growing economic agency. At the same time, Irani stressed that government programmes alone cannot address violence against women. She described violence as a deeper social problem requiring changes in attitudes, family structures and community behaviour. Turning to AI, Irani raised concerns about the gender and cultural biases that could become embedded in emerging technologies.
