Copyright infringement not intended

Context:

The Beijing Platform for Action serves as a guiding framework toward gender equality. 

About the Beijing Platform for Action

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted in 1995, it is one of the most comprehensive global blueprints for advancing women’s rights.

It laid out a roadmap for accelerating gender equality across 12 critical areas of concern, including education, health, economic empowerment, and political participation.

India was among the 189 countries that participated in this historic meeting, with over 200 Indian women in attendance along with government representatives.

Progress in Health and Maternal Care

• The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which have increased institutional deliveries to 95%.
• Maternal mortality has decreased from 130 to 97 deaths per 100,000 births between 2014 and 2020.
• Over half of married women (56.5%) now use modern contraceptives, giving them greater control over their reproductive health.
• The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the world’s largest government-funded healthcare program, has provided millions of women with access to critical medical treatment.

Progress in Education

• The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative has improved the child sex ratio and increased school enrollments for girls.
• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced reforms aimed at increasing retention rates and expanding opportunities for women in fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
• Safety concerns in higher secondary education continue, which require more efforts to create secure learning environments for girls.

Women's Economic Empowerment

• Through initiatives like the National Rural and Urban Livelihood Missions, nearly 100 million women have been integrated into financial networks via self-help groups.
• The expansion of digital financial services, particularly through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), has enabled more women to participate in the digital economy.
• The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission has facilitated access to credit, financial literacy programs, and entrepreneurship opportunities for millions of rural women.
• The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan has trained over 35 million rural women in digital literacy.

Gender-Responsive Budgeting

India has adopted gender-responsive budgeting, with the share of the Gender Budget in the total national budget increasing from 6.8% in 2024-25 to 8.8% in 2025-26, allocating $55.2 billion toward gender-specific programs.

Women in Leadership and Political Representation

• Young women are emerging as leaders in climate action, digital entrepreneurship, and governance.
• Initiatives like the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) Project support women in STEM.
• The G20 TechEquity Platform has trained thousands of young women in emerging technologies.
• The Women’s Reservation Bill guarantees 33% representation for women in legislatures, building on local governance successes that have empowered 1.5 million women leaders.

Challenges in Addressing Gender-Based Violence

India has established 770 One Stop Centres to provide medical, legal, and psychological support to survivors of violence.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, implemented in July 2024, strengthens legal frameworks for women’s safety and justice.

Innovations like Odisha’s blockchain-based system have expedited support services for survivors.

Partnerships between the United Nations Population Fund and institutions like the Rajasthan Police Academy have improved gender-responsive policing.

Way Forward

As India marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, it shows its commitment to gender equality as a national and global priority. Strengthening collaborations, investing in young women’s leadership, and addressing systemic barriers will be crucial in accelerating progress.

Must Read Articles:

Women and Men in India 2023

Women Wrote Constitution of India

Women in Space Leadership Programme 

Source:

THE HINDU

https://t.me/+hJqMV1O0se03Njk9