Center Raises Welfare and Empowerment Budget for Women

Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the budget today in parliament. The Economic Survey 2023-2024 highlights India’s commitment to transitioning from women’s development to women-led development.

The survey emphasizes the resilience of the Indian economy and its stable post-Covid recovery, according to a press release by the Ministry of Finance. The government’s dedication to “Nari Shakti” is evident through various legislative measures and provisions aimed at enhancing women’s participation in diverse professions.

The budget for women’s welfare and empowerment schemes has surged significantly, growing from Rs 97,134 crore (BE) in FY14 to Rs 3.10 lakh crore in FY25. The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) has also seen a substantial increase, with its share in the total Union Budget rising to 6.5 percent in FY25, the highest since its introduction in FY06.

The Survey emphasizes that women-led development starts with ensuring the health and education of the girl child. The national sex ratio at birth has improved, and the maternal mortality rate has decreased thanks to programs such as “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana.

Initiatives like the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and the PM Matru Vandana Yojana have positively impacted public health service utilization and birth spacing. Efforts aimed at empowering women have also focused on improving women’s conditions and addressing gender-specific disadvantages.

The Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 programs highlight the importance of women’s health in societal health. Women’s education remains a key enabler of empowerment, with various programs achieving gender parity in school enrollment and higher education.

Additionally, women’s participation in training programs has increased significantly under various skill development schemes. Programs such as Women in Science and Engineering-KIRAN (WISE KIRAN) and Vigyan Jyoti have been instrumental in increasing women’s participation in STEM fields.

Overall, the Economic Survey and upcoming budget underscore the government’s strong commitment to women-led development and empowerment.