Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India has transitioned from women's development to women-led development over the past nine years, calling for an increase in women's self-help organizations.
In his remarks at a post-budget webcast on women's empowerment, PM Narendra Modi emphasized that 43% of students in the nation are women studying engineering, science, technology, and math. We have included that ambition in the budget for current year, so can we make unicorns in self-help groups as well? he said.
Companies that are valued at $1 billion USD but are not publicly traded are known as unicorns. According to the prime minister, women make up over 70% of Mudra loan recipients. He said that these women are creating new economic opportunities for the whole country in addition to raising the incomes of their families.
The PM said this year's budget is an "auspicious beginning for reaching the aim of Vikasit Bharat by 2047". "The budget for this year would give women-led development activities a new boost, he claimed.
"The benefits of women's empowerment activities are evident, and we are sensing a dramatic transformation in the nation's social life, "added he. The prime minister emphasized that "Matru Shakti" is reflected in Nari Shakti's qualities of tenacity, willpower, inventiveness, and capacity for hard labour. He said that India's growth in this century has been accelerated by these characteristics.
According to him, women are not only participating more in industries like medicine, sports, business, and politics, but they are also taking the initiative.
While highlighting several government initiatives that have aided in the advancement of women, PM Narendra Modi brought up the PM Awas Yojna, which he said had given women a new voice in domestic economic choices.
Similarly to that, SVANidhi's advocacy of collateral-free loans as well as its support of village businesses, FPOs, animal husbandry, fisheries, and sports assist women, according to the speaker.
"This budget reflects how we can move the nation ahead with the assistance of 50 percent of the people and how we can boost the potential of women's power," he added. He cited the Mahila Samman Saving Certificate Program, under which women will get 7.5% interest. The majority of the 3 crore residences are in the name of women, thus the Rs 80,000 crore allocated to the PM Awas Yojna is likewise a step in the direction of women's empowerment, according to PM Narendra Modi.
In a situation where women typically did not have any property in their names, he underlined the empowering nature of PM Awas Yojna. He remarked, "PM Awas has given women a new voice in domestic economic choices.
The self-help groups will receive support to develop new unicorn SHGs, the prime minister announced. He used diverse scenarios to show the country's commitment to women's empowerment.
"In the past nine years, more than 7 crore women have joined self-help organizations. Given that these self-help organizations have borrowed 6.25 lakh crore in loans, their capital requirement may be used to understand their value generation "added he.
The prime minister emphasized that these women are making contributions as competent resource people as well as small business owners. The Bank Sakhi, Krishi Sakhi, and Pashu Sakhi programs, which are climbing new levels of development in communities, were noted by the speaker.
The role of women in the cooperative sector and its reform were heavily discussed by the prime minister. "In the upcoming years, more than 2 lakh multipurpose cooperatives, dairy cooperatives, and fishery cooperatives would be established. The goal is to introduce 1 crore farmers to natural farming. The Prime Minister stated that producer organizations and women farmers may have a significant impact on this.
PM Narendra Modi spoke in detail about how women's self-help organizations helped to promote Shree Anna. He said that these self-help organizations include more than 1 crore indigenous women from Shree Anna who have traditional knowledge.
"We need to take advantage of the Shree Anna marketing prospects for its use in processed goods. Governmental agencies support the processing and marketing of minor forest products all over the world. Now, there are so many self-help groups starting in isolated places that we ought to expand it, he added.
To empower women, the PM emphasized the importance of skill development and said that the Vishwakarma Scheme, which was included in this budget, will play a significant role and serve as a bridge. GeM and e-commerce, which are also developing as methods of enhancing women's business potential, should be given priority in the training provided to self-help organizations, he added.
Reiterating that the nation is advancing by "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas," the prime minister said. He claimed that when the daughters of the nation are seen working in national security positions and piloting Rafale aircraft, thinking about them changes as they start their businesses, make decisions, and take risks. He said that two women were recently elected as MLAs in Nagaland for the first time and that one of them also took an oath to serve as a minister.
"India cannot advance until there is a greater degree of respect for women and a sense of equality. I urge you all to continue forward with the will to dismantle every barrier standing between all women—sisters, and daughters," he remarked.
The Prime Minister closed by citing President Droupadi Murmu's essay on International Women's Day. "It is up to us, everyone of us, to speed the development," the president wrote. Therefore, I want to implore everyone of you to make one change in your family, community, or place of employment—any change that would make a girl smile and increase her chances of succeeding in life. As I already stated, that is one request that comes from the heart.
