Several of our Legislations have been strong enablers of Women Empowerment, says Smriti Irani at UNGA

On Friday, Union Minister for Women & Child Development Smriti Irani addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to highlight India’s achievements on gender equality.

The Minister was among over 150 PM's, Presidents & Ministers who addressed the UNGA’s high-level meeting held under the theme ‘Accelerating the realization of gender equality & the empowerment of all women & girls.’

The meeting is an opportunity for member states to demonstrate the political will & leadership for the implementation of the Beijing Declaration — a resolution adopted on Sept 15, 1995, on principles of gender equality.

Ms. Irani spoke about a shift in India “from a paradigm of women’s development to women-led development,” which is a theme that first found mention in BJP’s manifesto ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Ms Irani said that “Several of our legislations, such as those pertaining to sexual harassment of women at workplace, protection of women from domestic violence, protection of children from sexual offences, & our criminal laws’ amendments have been strong enablers of women empowerment & protection of children, especially girls, over the past six years".

She also mentioned reservation for women in local bodies such as panchayat, “who provide leadership in formulating & implementing gender sensitive public policies at the community level.”

The Govt’s Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme also found a mention in her speech.

Talking about the Govt’s efforts to ensure the protection of women during COVID-19, she said, “The Govt of India took a series of measures for ensuring safety, security & well-being of women during the Covid pandemic. These included one-stop centres providing medical, psychological, legal, police & shelter facilities under a common roof. Additionally, during the pandemic, all efforts are being made to ensure community care for women, especially pregnant & lactating women & women in vulnerable situations.”

In its press note, the UN said that it is estimated that due to the pandemic, in 2021, “47 million women & girls will be pushed into extreme poverty, bringing the total to 435 million. By 2021, for every 100 men aged 25 to 34 living in extreme poverty, there will be 118 women, a gap that is expected to increase to 121 women per 100 men by 2030.” 

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