Statement by India during ‘Annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women’,  during the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council (28 June 2024)

Theme: Economic violence as a form of gender-based violence against women and girls

Madam Vice- President,

1. We thank the Panelists for their views on impact of economic policies on women’s enjoyment of economic rights. 

2. India sees women and girls, as equal partners in economic development and social progress. India has readjusted the ‘gender-sensitive lens’ by shifting its focus from ‘women’s development’ to ‘women-led development’. To advance women-led development, a multi-faceted strategy with a whole-of-government approach addressing a full spectrum of issues related to health, education, safety, employment, and entrepreneurship is being implemented. 

3. Under one of the largest financial inclusion programmes in the world,  in last one decade, more than 280 million bank accounts have been opened for women.  We have also taken various steps to encourage and support women entrepreneurs, including facilitating their access to loans on preferential terms, and fast tracking patent applications submitted by women innovators. Following multiple policy interventions, women’s participation in non-traditional streams of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) stands at 43% now, which is one of the highest in the world.   India’s Labor Codes and Maternity Benefit Acts are aimed at creating a congenial working environment for women. 

Madam Vice- President,

4. Government’s efforts have led to women’s tremendous contribution as drivers of India’s overall progress. For India, it is now not just about women's development but women-led development. 

Thank you.