- India’s reforms allow divorced daughters to claim pensions and widows to remarry while keeping benefits.
- The DoPT introduced flexible Child Care Leave, expanded maternity benefits, and promoted women’s participation in governance.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, The Government of India has introduced reforms to empower women and promote gender inclusivity in governance in New Delhi. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, supervising the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), underlined measures to improve the lives of government employees, particularly women. One significant reform allows divorced or separated daughters to claim their deceased father's pension without lengthy legal battles, as long as divorce proceedings were initiated before the pensioner’s death.
The remarkable changes encourage remarriage of the childless widows while they still receive their deceased husband's pension. Providing their income remains below the limit ensuring their financial independence and security for them. In addition to this, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act or Dowry Prohibition Act, amendments were made in pension nomination rules to allow women pensioners to nominate their children for family pension over their husbands if they’ve filed for divorce or initiated proceedings
Dr Jitendra Singh, highlighting the importance of these reforms, said, “With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision and leadership, we have been able to take bold and decisive steps to empower women and make governance more inclusive.”
To support women employees, DoPT introduced workplace changes. Including flexible Child Care Leave(CCL) for single mothes, allowed up t two years of leaves in phases with travelling abroad with their children. Maternity benefits provide paid leave for women suffering from miscarriage or stillbirth.
By establishing working women hostels, crèches in government offices, and increasing market access for women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs), the government promotes women's participation in governance
Dr. Jitendra Singh underlined the importance of gender-sensitive governance to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047, with women as equal stakeholders in India’s growth. He encouraged the greater involvement of women in the digital economy, scientific research, and leadership roles.
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