New Delhi: Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasized the significant strides made in the empowerment of women through entrepreneurship, improved living conditions, and enhanced dignity, during the presentation of the Interim Budget 2024-25 in Parliament.
Minister Sitharaman noted that over the past ten years, the momentum for women’s empowerment has increased substantially. She highlighted the impact of the Mudra Yojana, which has provided thirty crore loans to women entrepreneurs, contributing to their economic independence. The Finance Minister also celebrated the rise in female enrolment in higher education by twenty-eight per cent over the same period, with girls and women constituting forty-three per cent of enrolment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses, a figure among the highest in the world.
The positive outcomes of these initiatives are reflected in the increasing participation of women in the workforce. Minister Sitharaman also acknowledged crucial legislative measures, such as making ‘Triple Talaq’ illegal, reserving one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies, and allocating over seventy per cent of houses under the PM Awas Yojana in rural areas to women as sole or joint owners, all of which have contributed to enhancing the dignity of women.
Minister Sitharaman reiterated the government’s priority on the welfare of four major segments – the ‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth), and ‘Annadata’ (Farmer). She underscored the belief that the progress of the country is intrinsically linked to the progress of these segments, and their empowerment and well-being will drive the nation forward.
The Finance Minister’s remarks underscore the government’s commitment to fostering gender equality, economic independence, and enhanced dignity for women, recognizing their pivotal role in the nation’s development. The Interim Budget presentation reflects the government’s dedication to creating an inclusive and empowering environment for women across various sectors of society.
