Statement by India under Annual thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity-building, on the theme “Technical cooperation on the full and effective participation of women in decision-making and in public life and on the elimination of violence, with a view to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”, during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 8 July 2022) delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, First Secretary

(Geneva, 23 June 2022)

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President,

My delegation welcomes the panel discussion and panelists’ views on this important theme. India has adopted a multi-pronged approach that ensures gender justice and equality and enables full expression and participation of women in public life and in the socio-economic and political discourse.

We are witnessing a rapid transition from women's development to women-led development. There is increased presence of women in public life. In the Lower House of our Parliament, since independence, we have had one of the largest number of women as elected Members of Parliament, around 17% of its strength. There are over 1.45 million Indian women who serve as elected representatives in our local self-government bodies.

Under the project 'She Is A Changemaker', the National Commission of Women has organized capacity building programmes for women representatives of local self-government bodies in association with regional training institutes with an aim to improve their decision making, communication and effective management skills.

Mr. Vice-President,

The Government of India is firmly committed to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women. Special laws pertaining to domestic violence, sexual harassment of women at workplace, prohibiting child marriage and sex selective conception and abortion have been put in place to augment gender equality and to holistically address all forms of violence against women.

The Government has operationalized 704 One Stop Centers that are actively extending medical, legal, psychosocial, police, and shelter support to women facing violence or distress in an integrated manner under a common roof. There is a dedicated toll-free women's helpline which enables access to protection 24/7. The Maternity Benefit Act has been amended to increase paid maternity leave for working women from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for the first two children in India, thereby benefiting 26 million women.

In order to encourage employment of women, a number of enabling provisions have been incorporated in the recently enacted labor codes.

India remains committed and at the forefront for uplifting and empowering our women on the socio, economic and political front.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.