Women Empowerment and Safety in India: Key Facts, Progress, and Challenges

Fresh SSB batches start around the 1st & 15th of every month.

1. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report 2024, it will take 134 years to close the global gender gap at the current rate.
2. Women make up 50% of the world's population but hold only about 26.7% of parliamentary seats globally (Inter-Parliamentary Union, 2024).
3. Only 8.1% of Fortune 500 CEOs were women as of 2024, showing underrepresentation in corporate leadership.

🇮🇳 India-Specific Data

1. The female labour force participation rate in India stood at 37% in 2023–24, up from 23.3% in 2017–18 (PLFS report).
2. Women account for only 14% of entrepreneurs in India (6-8 million out of 58.5 million entrepreneurs).
3. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes gender inclusion through Gender-Inclusion Funds and female participation in STEM.
4. Government schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Stand Up India, Ujjwala Yojana, and MUDRA loans have targeted women’s welfare and empowerment.

📚 Education & Health

1. India's female literacy rate is around 70.3%, compared to 84.7% for males (Census 2011, updated data awaited).
2. As per NFHS-5 (2019–21), more than 88% of women in India now use hygienic methods of menstrual protection, a significant increase from previous years.
3. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India dropped from 130 per 100,000 live births (2014–16) to 97 (2018–20), showing improved maternal health.

🔹 WOMEN SAFETY: KEY FACTS 

⚖️ Legal & Institutional Measures

1. India has specific laws for women’s safety, including:
   • Section 498A IPC – Protection from cruelty in marriage.
   • Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005)
   • POSH Act (2013) – Prevention of sexual harassment at workplace.
   • Nirbhaya Act (2013) – Amendments to criminal law post-2012 Delhi gang rape case.
2. One Stop Centres (OSCs) have been set up under the Nirbhaya Fund to support women facing violence.
3. The 112 Emergency Helpline, operational in all states/UTs, offers emergency assistance to women in distress.

📉 Crime Statistics

1. As per NCRB 2022 data:

• Over 4.45 lakh cases of crime against women were registered.
• The most reported crimes were domestic violence, assault with intent to outrage modesty, and rape.

1. States with the highest reported crimes against women: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.

🛡️ Safety Infrastructure

1. Indian Railways has introduced All-Women RPF Teams and “Meri Saheli” initiative for train safety.
2. Several states now mandate GPS-enabled panic buttons in public transport vehicles for women’s safety.