Statement by India at the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council (18 June to 06 July, 2018) on Annual full-day Discussion on Human Rights of Women – Panel 2: Advancing women’s rights in the economic sphere through access and participation in information and communication technologies (ICTs). [22 June 2018, Geneva]
Mr. President,
India welcomes convening of this We agree that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) provides great opportunities in promoting economic rights for women.
2. Ensuring gender equality and economic empowerment of women are essential parts of India’s economic growth and development. We have adopted enabling legislative measures and policy framework with this purpose. We are working to mainstream ICTs as an essential tool for advancing women’s empowerment. The Portal for National Repository of Information for Women is providing information of about 350 Government schemes and initiatives to help them in availing these schemes. In addition, essential information on employment, health, safety, adoption, savings and investments are being provided. The first ever all-Women’s Bank (Bharatiya Mahila Bank) has been established to assist women entrepreneurs of India.
3. To enhance security of women and girls through digital interventions, steps such as installation of GPS enabled panic devices in all taxis, establishment of hotline for central reporting mechanism on cyber-crimes relating to women and girls, installation of CCTVs in major railway stations, 24 hours emergency helpline services for women in distress have been undertaken. It has been made mandatory that smart phones can’t be sold in India without enabling Satellite based GPS having panic devices. Sexual Harassment electronic-Box has also been developed for easier online complaints of sexual harassment at workplaces.
4. The Government of India is committed to ensuring gender equality and economic empowerment of women. India is moving from women’s development to women-led development.
Thank You,
