Page 22 - NIS English 01-15 March,2023
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Cover Story Women Power
REFLECTION OF
EMPOWERMENT In commemoration of the Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav, a one-time new small savings
scheme, Mahila Samman Savings Certificate
Increased participation in major
decision makings of the house will be made available for a period of two
88.7% of women now participate in years till March 2025. It will offer a deposit
major household decisions, up from facility up to Rs 2 lakh at a fixed interest rate of
84% five years ago according to the 7.5 percent for a period of 2 years with a partial
National Family Health Survey 5 withdrawal option in the name of women or
SEX RATIO girl child
For the first time, the number of NIRMALA SITHARAMAN, UNION MINISTER OF
women became 1020 against one FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS
thousand men according to National
Family Health Survey 5. social decisions. The registry of houses available
under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the name
AGE OF MARRIAGE of women has increased women's confidence. For
The Prohibition of Child Marriage the first time, women and men have equal access to
(Amendment) Act was introduced banking services in the country thanks to the Jan Dhan
in Lok Sabha in December 2021 to Yojana. Currently, more than 80 lakh self-help groups
increase the age of marriage for girls are active in the country, with approximately nine
from 18 to 21 years. crore women participating. The central government
is providing assistance worth lakhs of crores to these
48 crore Jan Dhan bank accounts women's self-help groups.
were opened. In this, 32 crore bank
accounts have been opened in rural PROVIDING A SECURE ENVIRONMENT
and small towns. More than 53% of Numerous initiatives pertaining to women's safety have
Jan Dhan bank account holders are been launched on a national level since the formation
women in rural areas. of new government at the Centre in 2014. Today, the
country's top priority is to improve women's lives and
LEADERSHIP IN PARLIAMENT ensure women's full participation in India's development
For the first time in the 2019 general journey. The central government is considering raising
elections, a record 78 women have the marriage age for daughters to 21 years, treating sons
been elected MPs, while with 46% and daughters equally. Today, the country has strict laws
representation in the Panchayati Raj against crime against women, and in heinous cases like
system, they are playing an important role. rape, the perpetrators can be hanged. Fast-track courts
TRIPLE TALAQ ABOLISHED are also being established across the country, and plans
are being made to ensure strict adherence to the laws.
The Muslim Women (Protection of Whether it's increasing the number of women's help
Rights on Marriage) Act 2019 came into desks in police stations, having a 24-hour helpline, or
force after the President's signature, having a portal to deal with cybercrime, many such
but it was deemed effective from 19 efforts are becoming a shield for women's safety.
September 2018. It was declared a There was a time when the country witnessed cases
punishable offense with three years like the "Nirbhaya incident" and an atmosphere of
imprisonment and a fine for instant insecurity, but the current government has a "zero
Triple Talaq.
tolerance" policy for crime against women. The triple
20 New India Samachar March 1-15, 2023
