Sansad TV: Perspective- Women-Led Development | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Context

• The emphasis on women-led development has been a central focus during India's G20 presidency. Rooted in the belief that the prosperity of women translates into global prosperity, India has actively integrated gender issues into G20 discussions. The approach involves urgent measures to address gender inequalities, specific strategies to enhance female workforce participation, and harnessing financial resources to promote women's development.
• At the G20 Summit, leaders emphasized the fundamental importance of gender equality. They recognized that investing in the empowerment of all women and girls has a multiplier effect in realizing the goals of the 2030 Agenda.

Introduction

• Women's integral role in society is paramount; without their advancement, overall societal progress stagnates. Societies that witness consistent growth in women's status tend to prosper. Empowering women is the key to ensuring societal development. The Government of India is dedicated to promoting "Nari Shakti" (women's power) in the country. Efforts are underway to enhance women's lives and remove obstacles hindering their progress.
• The economic empowerment of women stands at the core of India's G20 agenda. By exploring gender-transformative approaches, this intergovernmental G20 forum provides a platform for members to collaboratively transform ideas into tangible outcomes, striving for substantial and enduring gender equality. India's development journey places women's empowerment at the forefront, encompassing initiatives from financial inclusion and social security to quality healthcare, housing, education, and entrepreneurship. These efforts will persist with greater vigor in the future.

India's Vision

• India's vision can be succinctly summarized by the statement made by our respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 Summit in Bali, emphasizing that "global development is unattainable without the active participation of women." Substantial evidence supports the notion that the increased internet and mobile penetration in India has led to a significant expansion of female entrepreneurship.
• India boasts an impressive number of women-owned enterprises, estimated to be between 13.5 million and 15.7 million, surpassing many other countries. Beyond job creation by both private and government sectors, entrepreneurship presents a potent yet underexplored avenue for women of working age in India.
• By generating employment opportunities, fostering innovation, and encouraging investments in healthcare and education, women's entrepreneurship has the potential to be a driving force in India's journey toward social and economic progress. According to a report by McKinsey, India could augment its GDP by up to 18%, equivalent to approximately $770 billion, if it successfully narrows its gender equality gap by increasing female workforce participation.
• To attain Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality, the Indian Government has implemented a range of extraordinary measures, including initiatives such as Stand-Up India, PM MUDRA Yojana, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and the expansion of opportunities for women in entrepreneurship.
• Self-Help Groups have played a vital role in enhancing women's skills and promoting businesses led by women. Financial inclusion schemes, notably the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), have addressed a significant challenge faced by women-led enterprises: access to financial services, including savings accounts, tailored lending, remittances, insurance, and pensions. Since then, more than 460 million bank accounts have been opened, with women owning 56% of them. Between 2015 and 2022, the average deposit into PMJDY accounts increased over threefold, from INR 1,279 to INR 3,761. Simultaneously, the Udyam Sakhi portal effectively disseminates information about government schemes, policies, and activities for women entrepreneurs, furthering financial inclusion.
• Notably, in the fiscal year 2022, 8.59 lakh women-led MSMEs were registered, a substantial increase from the 4.9 lakh registrations in FY21.

Inclusive Growth and Development

• India's leadership is firmly committed to prioritizing inclusive growth and development, with a central focus on women's representation and empowerment in the deliberations of India's G20 involvement. The Women20 (W20), the official G20 engagement group, is dedicated to integrating gender considerations into policies and commitments that promote gender equality.
• This mission aligns seamlessly with India's national priorities, and Maharashtra's Aurangabad is set to host the inaugural W20 India meeting on February 13-14, 2023. In a recent meeting, the first Global Partnership for financial inclusion under the G20 banner was convened in Kolkata, where India was showcased as a prominent example of digital financial inclusion. During the conference, Arjun Munda, the Minister of Tribal Affairs, emphasized a shift from women's development to women-led development on a global scale. He underscored that financial inclusion can be harnessed as a tool to advance women's financial empowerment and self-reliance.

Challenges in Advancing Women's Development in India

• India strives to enhance opportunities, resources, and choices for women, aiming to boost development through improved access to essential services, targeted investments in employment and skills, and gender-inclusive policies. 
• The W20 Engagement group is set to concentrate on key areas, such as Women’s Entrepreneurship, Grassroot Women Leadership, Bridging the Gender Digital Divide, Education & Skill Development, and Climate Change. Crucially, dismantling normative constraints faced by women is pivotal for driving significant change, and India's G20 presidency emphasizes the involvement of all development stakeholders.

Vision for Progress:

• The W20, driven by a visionary spirit, seeks to empower women and drive grassroots change. To ensure diverse perspectives, key stakeholders from tribal and rural communities, agriculture, handloom & handicrafts sectors, micro & nano enterprises, self-help groups (SHGs), Anganwadis, adolescent girls, women residing in urban slums, and homemakers are actively engaged, promoting intersectional representation.

Obstacles in Women-led Development in India:

• Persistent societal norms and stereotypes in India hinder women's access to education, employment, and decision-making roles, posing a significant barrier to women-led development efforts.

Limited Educational Opportunities:

• In several rural areas of India, girls encounter difficulties in accessing quality education, hampering their participation and leadership in development initiatives.

Economic Discrepancies:

• Women face economic disparities, including unequal pay and restricted access to financial resources, undermining their ability to lead and sustain development projects.

Cultural and Social Constraints:

• Traditional norms restrict women's roles and autonomy, limiting their participation in leadership and decision-making within development efforts.

Inadequate Healthcare Access:

• In certain regions, limited access to healthcare hampers women's well-being and active involvement in development activities.

Violence Against Women:

• Gender-based violence continues to be a pervasive issue, constraining women's freedom and their engagement in development initiatives.

Underrepresentation:

• Women are often underrepresented in leadership positions in various sectors, hindering the integration of a gender-sensitive approach in development policies and programs.

The Importance of Women-Led Progress in India

• Empowering women is instrumental in advancing gender equality and social justice by challenging traditional gender norms, fostering a more inclusive and fair society.

Boosting Economic Growth:

• Active participation of women in the workforce is crucial for sustained economic growth, as they constitute a significant portion of the population. Women-led development enhances productivity, innovation, and overall economic progress.

Investing in Education and Skill Enhancement:

• Critical investments in the education and skill development of women are essential. Educated and skilled women are better equipped to contribute meaningfully to the workforce, make informed choices, and positively influence their communities.

Enhancing Health and Well-being:

• Women often play a central role in the health and well-being of their families. Women-led development can lead to improved healthcare outcomes, as empowered women are more likely to prioritize and advocate for the health needs of their families.

Driving Community Development:

• Women frequently serve as catalysts for change at the community level. Active involvement of women in decision-making processes results in more comprehensive and sustainable community development initiatives.

Promoting Political Participation and Representation:

• Women-led development enhances women's participation and representation in governance, addressing gender-specific issues and ensuring that policies are inclusive and responsive to women's needs.

Empowering Future Generations:

• Empowering women creates a positive domino effect on future generations. Educated and empowered women are more inclined to invest in the education and well-being of their children, breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.

Conclusion

In summary, India's role as the G20 president will be crucial in fostering collaboration and boosting women's economic empowerment. This presents an excellent opportunity for India to highlight effective strategies used by countries to promote gender equality and make a significant impact on the economic growth of women in the country.