India's journey towards inclusive development has consistently recognized the vital role women play in the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the nation. As part of this broader commitment, the Government of India launched Mission Shakti, a comprehensive initiative under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
India's family planning programme, one of the oldest in the world, has seen considerable evolution. Yet, national progress masks deep regional inequalities.
The Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW), launched under the Ministry of Women and Child Development as part of the ‘Mission Shakti’ scheme, represents a transformative approach to addressing the multi-dimensional needs of women in India. Developed under the Samarthya sub-scheme, HEW serves as a comprehensive, one-stop support system that facilitates inter-sectoral convergence across services, schemes, and programs meant for women. It aims to ensure that women can access information, benefits, and entitlements in a streamlined and efficient manner, thereby fostering their holistic empowerment and participation in society. It reflects the government’s larger commitment to ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable development, aligning with international goals like SDG 5: Gender Equality and national visions like Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Gender in India isn’t just about men and women—it intersects with caste, class, and regional identities, making the journey toward equality complex yet essential. From legal reforms to shifting cultural mindsets, younger generations are questioning the norms they’ve inherited, pushing for a more egalitarian future.
Women in leadership roles, research, and policymaking spaces play a pivotal role in revolutionizing India’s economic, social, and political prosperity.
Climate change-induced disasters in India disproportionately affect women, deepening vulnerabilities and increasing risks such as health crises, displacement, and gender-based violence. While India has advanced on some climate commitments, its disaster risk reduction policies lack a strong gender-responsive focus. This article highlights these gaps, drawing on international frameworks like the Sendai Framework, and offers recommendations for integrating women’s security into climate adaptation strategies to build a more resilient and equitable future.
On a quiet Kerala morning in 2017, a tremor was felt—not underfoot, but across the silver screens of Malayalam cinema. A leading female actor was kidnapped and assaulted, and the industry’s initial silence was deafening. The walls of vanity vans and film sets, long complicit in their silence, had harboured too many secrets for too long. But this time, something shifted.