'We Recognize Women's Empowerment In All Aspects Of Developmental Journey In India': Smriti Irani At UN

Speaking on the 25th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani said at the United Nations that India recognises the centrality of gender equality and women's empowerment in all aspects of our developmental agenda.

"Women numerically constitute half of humanity but their influence transfuses all dimensions of society, polity, and economy. In India, we recognize the centrality of gender equality and women's empowerment in all aspects of our developmental journey," she said.

The Union Minister further said that the country is focusing on inclusive growth and deep reforms, that are bringing about transformational changes together.

"Heralding these changes under the leadership of our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have moved from a paradigm of women's development to women-led development," she said.

"Reservation of seats for women in local governance in the situation has ensured that more than 1.3 million elected women representatives provide leadership in the formulation and implementing gender-sensitive public policies at the community level," she said on the issue of reservation for women.

"More than 200 million women have been brought into the formal banking system through the Government's Financial Inclusion Initiative. Innovative use of digital technologies has provided equal opportunity for women to access insurance, loans, and social assistance," Irani added.

On the issue of gender parity, she added: "India today is attaching the highest priority to ensuring gender parity in all spheres of life and elimination on of all forms of gender-based discrimination. Several of our legislations such as those pertaining to sexual harassment of women at the workplace, protection of women from domestic violence, protection of children from sexual offences, and our criminal laws' amendments, have been strong enablers of women empowerment and protection of children especially girls, over the past six years."

Irani claimed that the government has taken various measures to ensure safety, security and well being of women during the coronavirus pandemic. This, she said, includes One Stop Centres" which provide medical, psychological, legal, police and shelter facilities under a common roof.

"What we achieved 25 years ago at the Fourth World Conference on Women still remains the guiding light and source of inspiration for our actions nationally and in the international arena. India remains ready to work with all international partners to build a more just and equal post-COVlD world for us and our daughters," Irani concluded.

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