In villages across India, more than 100 million women have joined nearly nine million Self-Help Groups, forming a grassroots revolution that has transformed rural economies and lifted millions of families. These women are not just participating in the economy — they are leading it.
At the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur shared how India is making measurable progress on gender equality. Her message was clear: investing in women is not charity — it is development.
India's approach starts at the local level. More than 1.4 million women now serve as elected representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions, which are local governing bodies in villages and small towns. That number represents 46 percent of all elected officials at that level — nearly matching gender parity in grassroots governance.
Beyond politics, women are shaping the economy in surprising ways. Women are leading over 1,000 start-ups supported by Atal Incubation Centres, which help new businesses grow. More than eight lakh (800,000) women serve as directors of active Indian companies. And sustained government policies have helped raise India's female labour force participation rate to 41.7 percent — a significant number in a country where women historically faced barriers to formal work.
Digital access is another piece of the puzzle. Over 25 million rural women have received digital training under PM-DISHA, a program that teaches people how to use computers and the internet. This matters because without digital skills, women risk being left behind as more services move online.
The progress extends to health and housing too. More than 208 million women are now covered under Ayushman Bharat, a national health insurance program that offers 141 dedicated healthcare packages for women. And when it comes to homes, more than 72 percent of the 29 million rural houses built under government housing programs are owned wholly or jointly by women — meaning more women have a secure place in their own name.
Thakur reaffirmed India's commitment at the UN, saying women-led development remains central to the country's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, a goal for inclusive national growth. She also held meetings with leaders from France, Canada, and UN Women to share ideas and explore cooperation.
India's story is not perfect — but these numbers show real, measurable change is happening when policies intentionally include women.