India's path towards development, summarized in the vision for Viksit Bharat by the year 2047, puts women at its center of growth story. The vision underlines the key role of women-led development to bring about inclusive and sustainable growth. With India moving from a rural to a more urbanized and industrialized economy, active engagement of women in all fields is not only desirable but a necessity. Ranging from resolving gender imbalances to promoting entrepreneurship, empowering women is the building block of this lofty national vision.
The Role of Women in Viksit Bharat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Viksit Bharat also emphasizes the need for the equal and complete involvement of women in all walks of life. Ruchira Kamboj, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, emphasized that during Modi's tenure, India's G20 presidency has been a turning point emphasizing women-centric development. This policy seeks to champion gender equality not only within the country but also internationally.
The idea of Amrit Kal, where Nari Shakti (feminine power) radiates, resonates with this vision. It is an acknowledgment that empowering women is not just a matter of reaching gender equality but also about utilizing their potential to fuel economic and social development.
Challenges that Hinder Women-Led Development
Even after major progress, some challenges still hinder women's empowerment in India:
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Declining Female Labor Force Participation (FLFP): Female labor force participation decreased from 31.2% in 2005 to 20.3% in 2019 despite the growing economy. This is a paradox and points to institutional barriers that constrain women's entry into the job market.
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Sectoral Inequalities: Mechanization and urbanization have pushed women out of traditional farming jobs. Industry employment has not, however, taken them in sufficiently, with many moving straight into the services sector. Stagnation of the manufacturing industry further restricts women's reasonable employment opportunities.
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Social and Economic Constraints: Prohibitive social norms, unhelpful working environments, and poor infrastructure such as transport remain to discourage women's economic involvement.
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Funding and Entrepreneurship: Women entrepreneurs do not have easy access to funds. Mental inhibitions and social expectations also deter many from starting entrepreneurial ventures.
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Government Initiatives for Empowerment
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The Indian government has introduced various schemes with the purpose of empowering women and encouraging their active participation in nation-building:
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Budgetary allocations: Union Budget 2024-25 allocated ₹1.6 lakh crore for women-specific programs and ₹7 lakh crore towards developing infrastructure. Better infrastructure can overcome logistical issues such as transportation, making it easier for more women to participate in industrial employment.
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Skill Development Schemes: Programs like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao emphasize the education of girls, making a foundation for greater female participation in the workforce in the years to come.
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Entrepreneurial Support: Programs offering mentorship and financial assistance aim to foster women entrepreneurship, addressing both economic and mental hurdles.
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Global Advocacy: India’s leadership during its G20 presidency has spotlighted women-led development as a global priority, showcasing its commitment to gender equality on international platforms.
Economic Impact of Women’s Participation
The financial cost of keeping women out of the labor force is enormous. McKinsey Global Institute estimates that narrowing the gender gap in labor markets could increase India's GDP by $770 billion by 2025. This potential highlights the need to bring more women into the labor force.
In addition, research indicates that more gender-diverse companies perform better financially. Empowering women therefore not only benefits individuals but also businesses and the economy as a whole.
A Roadmap for Women-Led Growth
In order to achieve Viksit Bharat through women-led development, policymakers need to pursue a multi-pronged strategy:
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Education and Skill Development: Investment in education for women needs to be supplemented by skill development programs specific to sunrise industries.
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Infrastructure Development: Improved transportation infrastructure and secure workplaces are essential for motivating women's entry into industrial activities.
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Policy Reforms: Equal pay laws, maternity leave, and workplace security require more effective enforcement.
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Changing Mindsets: Social campaigns can counter limiting social norms and make gender equality a social norm.
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Support Networks for Entrepreneurs: Funding opportunities, mentorship, and business networks can support women overcoming entrepreneurship hurdles.
Conclusion
Enabling women is not only a moral necessity but an economic need for India's Viksit Bharat vision as well. Through eliminating systemic hurdles and creating an enabling environment for them to flourish, India has the potential to harness the enormity of half of its population. Women-led development is not about gender parity but about developing a more prosperous and inclusive country where every citizen plays a useful role.
As India strides towards its centenary year of freedom in 2047, it has to take care that no woman is left behind in this process of progress. The dream of Viksit Bharat will be incomplete without the power of Nari Shakti. The hour is now for India to set an example, showcasing how empowering women can turn a nation into a world power.
Source: The Print, The Hans India, Business Standard, times Of India, KNN India
