Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Children on ‘Women’s human rights in the changing world of work at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 06 July 2020) Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discriminati..
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Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Children on ‘Women’s human rights in the changing world of work at the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council (30 June – 21 July 2020) delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 06 July 2020)

Madam President,

We thank the Working Group for the presentation of the report and take note of the various recommendations. Our full statement would be uploaded on Extranet.

Madam President,

2. Recognising the immediate negative economic impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on women, our Government has ensured monthly cash transfer to 200 million poor women while extending interest subvention of 2 per cent for one year to women who are running small and medium enterprises.

3. India has adopted both enabling legislative and policy framework for advancement of women. The National Policy for Women is regularly updated to capture the emerging challenges to position women as equal partners of sustainable development. Laws to tackle domestic violence as well as sexual harassment of women at workplace are in place. Women affected by violence can access One Stop Centres where medical and legal aid, police assistance, psycho-social counselling and temporary support services are provided under one roof.

4. While ensuring equal pay for equal work, mandatory paid Maternity Leave in India has been extended from 12 weeks to 26 weeks recently, making it the third longest in the world. Crèche facility at organizations having 50 or more employees is now mandatory. The Government of India has been promoting participation of women in decision making process to ensure overall empowerment of women.

5. Empowering women would help in promoting equal partnership between men and women in both public and private spheres. Currently, one million elected women representatives in the local bodies in India decide all policies at the local levels including issues related to women.

Madam President,

4. Women are also the largest direct beneficiaries of all government programmes that provide income security, health insurance and financial inclusion for poor families and 164 million women are enjoying these benefits.

Madam President,

5. We remain committed to promote equal rights and opportunities for all women and girls to guarantee a sustainable development and an inclusive society.

Thank you, Madam President.

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