Savitri Thakur Highlights Women's Gains at CSW-70

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Tuesday, 9 June 2026

Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development of India, made it clear during the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) that India had made significant strides forward in terms of women empowerment and gender equality in the development process.

While making India’s intervention on behalf of the government, the minister reiterated India’s commitment towards gender equality and better access to justice as per the Beijing Platform for Action.

According to Savitri, the “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” principle guiding development in India has ensured inclusive growth and empowerment of women. For instance, she cited that over 100 million women who were mobilized in over nine million Self-Help Groups were responsible for changing the economic profile of rural India through entrepreneurship and leadership.

Key Highlights:

• India pointed out the achievements made in terms of women's empowerment and their economic participation.
• The participation of women increased in politics, administration, and also through digital inclusion.
• There was considerable progress in women's welfare, health, housing, and other areas.

On their role in entrepreneurship, Savitri said that women are behind more than one thousand startups incubated under Atal Incubation Centers, as well as over eight lakh women directors who are part of active Indian companies.

Regarding the gender digital divide, she indicated that over 25 million rural women had been provided digital literacy under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PM-DISHA). According to Savitri, the consistent policy measures have enabled the female labour force participation in India to be at 41.7 per cent.

Speaking about the contribution of women in politics, Savitri quoted the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, in which it was mentioned that women enjoy the reservation of one-third in parliament and state legislative assemblies. On the other hand, at the grassroots level, she stated that there are more than 1.4 million women, comprising 46% of elected leaders in local governing bodies under Panchayati Raj institutions.

As regards social welfare schemes for women and children, Thakur stated that 39,000 children were using crèche services under the Palna scheme. Besides, there is an equal number of enrolment of girls in education institutions as that of boys. Moreover, about 72% of the 29 million houses constructed under housing schemes are jointly/ solely possessed by women.

In the health sector, Thakur cited that over 208 million cardholders of women are covered under Ayushman Bharat with 141 separate healthcare packages. Additionally, India’s efforts have been recognized for promoting access to justice for women through awareness initiatives, free legal services, Nari Adalats, and 334 Gram Nyayalayas established. The Tele-Law Scheme has provided pre-litigation advice to almost four million women in the country.

The minister re-emphasized that the promotion of women’s development is crucial to the concept of Viksit Bharat 2047 where access to justice will be seen as an important foundation for achieving inclusive growth.

In the course of her participation at CSW-70 on the margins, the minister engaged in a number of bilateral discussions with representatives of other countries and United Nations officials on issues related to gender equality and empowerment of women.