Page 27 - NIS English 01-15 March, 2025

COVER STORY
INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN’S DAY
SPECIAL
the first time, establishing themselves as industrialists. full participation in India’s development journey. The
The Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme for central government is also considering raising the
women and minor girls was launched on March 31, marriage age for daughters to 21 years, treating sons
2023 to commemorate the Amrit Mahotsav of and daughters equally. Today, the country has stringent
Independence. As of October 31, 2024, 43,30,121 laws addressing crimes against women, including the
accounts have been opened under it. The account provision of the death penalty for severe offenses such
under this Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme as rape. A large number of fast-track courts are also
can be opened by a woman for herself or by a parent on being set up across the country. Systems are also
behalf of a minor girl till or before March 31, 2025. being improved to ensure strict compliance with laws.
The nation’s policies with sensitivity to women Be it increasing the number of women help desks in
including ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ have brought police stations, helplines available 24 hours a day, or
awareness in the society. People now hope to see portals to deal with cyber crimes, many such efforts are
daughters embrace independence and thrive on their becoming a shield for the safety of women. The present
own.They want to secure their future. Women today are central government is working with a policy of ‘zero
excelling at the global level aligned with the dreams of tolerance’ on crimes against women.
the nation. The efforts of the central government have Not just legal protection, the central government has
been the mainstay behind this progress of women. For been campaigning for women’s self-respect. Most of the
the first time in the country, there were more women central government schemes are made with women in
than men and the health of women is even better than the family at the center. Moreover, earlier in Jammu and
before. Whether it is the Prime Minister Safe Kashmir, women and their children were denied the right
Motherhood Campaign or the Prime Minister Matru to ancestral property if they married a non-Kashmiri, but
vandana Yojana, we have been successful in saving the after the repeal of Articles 370 and 35A, women in the
lives of both mothers and children. Almost 50 per cent region have got that right. The law has also become
of the beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat scheme more stringent in cases where NRIs marry and then
are women. abandon their spouses. Mission Shakti is another
important effort of the government. It aims to increase
EMPOWERMENT WITH SAFETY the safety, empowerment, and participation of women in
When women are safe and prosperous, the world is the workforce. The mission aims to address gender bias,
prosperous. Their economic empowerment boosts discrimination, and responsibility of care on women
development. Their access to education drives global through skill development, capacity building, financial
progress. Their leadership promotes inclusiveness, and literacy, and access to microcredit. Integrated services,
their ideas inspire positive change. The most effective such as police, medical and legal assistance, counseling,
way to empower women is a woman-led development and psychosocial support, provided in one place through
approach. India has taken a decisive step in this One-Stop Centers (OSCs), ensure comprehensive
direction. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is an support for women affected by violence. A toll-free
inspiring example in her own right. She comes from an women’s helpline (181) also provides emergency and
ordinary tribal background. But now she leads the non-emergency assistance. Mission Shakti has created
world’s largest democracy and is contributing as an enabling environment for women to advance and
commander-in-chief of the world’s second largest make active contributions to society.
defense force. In this mother of democracy, the ‘right to Certainly, by transforming women from welfare
vote’ was granted equally to all citizens, including recipients to agents of empowerment, the government
women, by the Indian Constitution from the very has succeeded in making sweeping changes in the
beginning. The right to contest elections was also lives of women in its country. From addressing gender
given to all on an equal basis. discrimination to promoting education, health, housing,
It is with the aim of providing women with a safe entrepreneurship, and security, such initiatives have
environment and equal participation in development tremendously improved the lives of women and
that many efforts related to women’s security have contributed to the overall progress of the country.
been made at the national level. Today, the priority of Today, it is not only about women’s development but
the country is to improve the lives of women and their also about women-led development. n

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