Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur highlighted India’s progress in advancing women-led development and strengthening gender equality during the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
Delivering India’s national intervention during the General Discussion on March 10, the minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to gender equality and improving access to justice in line with the Beijing Platform for Action.
India’s progress on women-led development
Thakur said India’s development philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” has driven inclusive growth and women’s empowerment across sectors. She highlighted that more than 100 million women organised into nearly nine million Self-Help Groups have transformed the rural economic landscape through grassroots entrepreneurship and leadership.
She also noted that women are leading over 1,000 start-ups supported by Atal Incubation Centres, while more than eight lakh women directors are associated with active Indian companies.
Addressing the digital gender divide, the minister said over 25 million rural women have received digital training under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PM-DISHA).
Thakur said sustained policy interventions have helped raise India’s female labour force participation rate to 41.7 per cent.
Greater participation in governance
Highlighting women’s role in governance, Thakur referred to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which provides for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.
At the grassroots level, she noted that over 1.4 million women, representing 46 per cent of elected representatives, serve in local bodies under Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The minister also cited welfare initiatives supporting women and children. About 39,000 children benefit from crèche facilities under the Palna Scheme, while girls’ enrolment in education is now nearly equal to that of boys. Additionally, more than 72 per cent of the 29 million rural houses built under government housing programmes are owned wholly or jointly by women.
In healthcare, Thakur said over 208 million women cardholders are covered under Ayushman Bharat, which provides 141 dedicated healthcare packages.
She also highlighted India’s efforts to strengthen access to justice through legal awareness programmes, free legal aid, Nari Adalats, and the establishment of 334 Gram Nyayalayas. The Tele-Law Programme has delivered pre-litigation legal advice to nearly four million women across the country.
Thakur reiterated that women-led development remains central to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with access to justice serving as a key foundation for ensuring inclusive growth.
Bilateral engagements on the sidelines
On the margins of CSW-70, the minister also held a series of bilateral meetings with international counterparts and senior UN leaders to strengthen cooperation on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
During a meeting with Aurore Bergé, France’s Minister Delegate for Equality between Women and Men, both sides discussed collaboration in inclusive and responsible artificial intelligence and the role of emerging technologies in promoting gender equality.
Thakur also interacted with senior leadership of UN Women, including Executive Director Sima Bahous. She highlighted India’s partnership with UN Women during its G20 Presidency of India 2023, particularly in advancing the Women-20 (W20) agenda. The minister welcomed Shoko Ishikawa’s upcoming role as Representative of UN Women in India and expressed confidence in further strengthening collaboration.
In another bilateral meeting, Thakur met Rechie Valdez, Canada’s Minister of Women and Gender Equality. The leaders discussed expanding cooperation following the New Roadmap for India–Canada Relations launched in October 2025, with potential partnerships in early childhood education, health, and cognitive development.
Reception hosted by India at the UN
The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations hosted a reception in New York in honour of the minister on the sidelines of CSW-70.
The gathering brought together ministers and senior representatives from several countries, including Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Israel, Saint Lucia, and Serbia, along with heads of delegations from Australia, Namibia, and New Zealand.
During the interaction, Thakur reiterated India’s commitment to women-led development and international cooperation to advance gender equality. Participants exchanged policy perspectives and best practices, reaffirming their collective commitment to promoting women’s empowerment globally.
The discussions at CSW-70 saw participation from delegations of nearly 75 countries, underscoring the global resolve to strengthen gender equality and expand opportunities for women and girls worldwide.
