New Delhi: Since coming to power in May 2014, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government has implemented several policy decisions aimed at empowering women across multiple levels. These steps, rather than being short-term solutions, have been carefully designed and executed to bring about positive and lasting changes in the years to come, irrespective of the party in power.
Official sources pointed out that one of the most crucial milestones of Prime Minister Modi’s tenure has been the introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill, passed in 2023, which reserves one-third seats in the Lok Sabha (India’s Lower House of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies for women and enhances women’s political participation.
While the bill’s full implementation will be contingent on the next delimitation exercise, its passing is seen as a momentous achievement in addressing the gender gap in political representation. The bill ensures that women will have a significant voice in the decision-making process.
This, they say, will push more women to join politics in the coming years and make it incumbent upon political parties to create more space for women leaders in the cadre. It is pertinent to mention that in the 2019 general elections, 78 women Lok Sabha MPs were elected, a number that came down to 74 in 2024 in a House of 543 MPs.
In the field of defence too, the union government has taken concrete steps to enhance women’s participation in the armed forces, something that was out of bounds for a long time. The defence ministry, under push from the highest office and after thorough deliberation with military offices, extended a Permanent Commission to women officers in the Indian Army, allowing them to serve in command roles, thereby ensuring equality in promotions and responsibilities.
At the social level, the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (BBBP) campaign, launched in 2015 has improved the child sex ratio and ensured that more girls receive an education. In 2015-16 it was 919, in 2019-21, it rose to 929.
The campaign, officials claimed, has been effective in raising awareness about gender equality, especially in rural and underdeveloped regions. The BBBP, officials pointed out, combines efforts from the health, education, and women’s welfare ministries and has made a substantial difference by addressing child gender imbalances and encouraging the education of young girls.
Alongside these legislative and societal changes, economic empowerment has been one of the primary focuses of the government’s approach to women’s welfare.
“Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana” (PMMY), introduced in 2015, has allowed women entrepreneurs to access collateral-free loans to start or expand small businesses. Similarly, the “Stand-Up India Scheme”, launched in 2016, aimed specifically at women and marginalized communities, provides loans to women entrepreneurs in rural areas to start their own ventures.
The “Jan Dhan Yojana”, introduced shortly after PM Modi came to power, has revolutionized financial inclusion in India, officials claimed. The said scheme has brought millions of previously unbanked women into the formal financial system by offering them bank accounts and access to credit. This step has been crucial in enhancing women’s financial independence, allowing them to participate fully in the economy. It also provided women with the opportunity to gain access to loans and subsidies.
Moreover, in an effort to combat gender violence and ensure women’s safety, the government expanded the “Nirbhaya” Fund, which was initially set up after the horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape incident.
The said fund now supports various initiatives aimed at women’s security, such as Safe City Projects, which involve installing CCTV cameras, providing better street lighting, and enhancing emergency response systems. The government has also focused on ensuring quicker legal recourse for women facing violence through fast-track courts dedicated to handling rape cases.
Officials pointed out that one of the most far-reaching reforms in women’s health and well-being was the amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act in 2017. The legislation increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, ensuring that working women could take time off to care for their newborns without the fear of losing income.
Similarly, according to officials, “Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana” and the “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” scheme are two other significant initiatives by the BJP government that have a direct impact on women’s lives and well-being.
PMUY was brought to provide clean cooking fuel to women from economically disadvantaged households and give access to free LPG connections, which significantly reduced the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods, like using firewood or coal.
This initiative has empowered women by improving their health and safety, as it eliminates exposure to harmful smoke, thereby reducing respiratory illnesses. Moreover, it saves time and effort for women, as they no longer need to gather firewood, which often falls on their shoulders in rural areas.
The “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” scheme, aimed at providing piped water supply to every rural household, also benefits women, who are traditionally responsible for water collection in many rural areas. By ensuring that clean water is available at home, this initiative reduces the burden on women and girls, who often have to travel long distances to fetch water. It also improves sanitation and health conditions, as access to safe drinking water is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing waterborne diseases.
Another key initiative under the Modi government that directly benefits women is the “Ayushman Bharat Yojana”, which offers health insurance to economically vulnerable families across India. This scheme is especially beneficial for women as it provides access to essential healthcare services, including maternal care, surgeries, and treatment for serious health conditions like cancer.
In the field of education, the “Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana” has been a crucial measure to encourage saving for the education and marriage expenses of girl children. With its high interest rates and tax incentives, the scheme provides parents with a secure financial option for their daughters’ futures, helping to alleviate the economic burden of raising a girl child.
Along with this, the government has rolled out the “POSHAN Abhiyan”, which tackles malnutrition, especially among women and children, in an effort to reduce the high rates of stunting and anaemia that disproportionately affect women in India.
Additionally, the government has committed substantial resources to promoting skill development among women through initiatives like the “Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana” (PMKVY), which offers vocational training to women across various sectors. This program equips women with the skills needed to enter the workforce, enhancing their employability and self-sufficiency.
Furthermore, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), launched in 2017, provides financial support to pregnant and lactating women, offering an incentive for them to access proper healthcare. This program has played a pivotal role in ensuring that mothers have the support they need to ensure a healthy pregnancy and postpartum care, thereby safeguarding the well-being of both mothers and children.
For women in rural areas, the “Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana—National Rural Livelihoods Mission” (DAY-NRLM) has been described as a game-changer.
This initiative empowers rural women by supporting their entry into Self-Help Groups (SHGs), where they can access credit, training, and markets for their products. Through these groups, women are not only economically empowered but also gain a sense of solidarity and community, which has proven to be instrumental in helping them overcome decades old socio-cultural barriers.
Official sources, while bringing in context the policies by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, said the UPA government focused heavily on welfare-driven policies. While the UPA’s tenure focused more on providing welfare and addressing immediate needs, the Modi government has taken a more holistic approach, focusing on economic self-sufficiency, political representation, safety, and entrepreneurship, reflecting a more systemic transformation of women’s status in India.
Key measures like the Women’s Reservation Bill, which aimed to reserve 33% of seats in Parliament and state legislatures for women, were a significant step towards political empowerment. However, despite being introduced in 2010 during the UPA times, the bill could not be passed because of political opposition, leaving the representation of women in politics largely unchanged. In contrast, the Modi government not only ensured the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023 but also showed greater determination to push for the economic empowerment of women.