Beijing Platform for Action and Women Empowerment in India

As India continues its journey toward gender equality, the Beijing Platform for Action remains a guiding framework.

The Beijing Platform for Action

• The Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.
• It is one of the most comprehensive and transformative global frameworks for advancing women’s rights and gender equality. 

• It emphasizes the need for systemic change, policy reforms, and grassroots action to ensure women’s full participation in all spheres of life.
• The areas of concern under the Beijing Platform for Action include poverty reduction, education and training, health, violence against women, women’s economic empowerment and influence in decision making.
  • Over the past three decades, India has made significant strides in many of these areas, driven by policy efforts, grassroots movements, and the resilience of women and girls.

India’s Progress in Key Areas

• Health and Reproductive Rights: Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana have increased institutional deliveries to 95% and reduced maternal mortality from 130 to 97 deaths per 100,000 births.
• Education and Empowerment: The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative has improved the child sex ratio and increased school enrollments for girls. 
• Economic Empowerment: Through the National Rural and Urban Livelihood Missions, nearly 100 million women have been connected to financial networks via self-help groups.
• Gender-Responsive Budgeting: India has increased its commitment to gender equality through gender-responsive budgeting. 
  • The share of the Gender Budget in the total national budget has risen from 6.8% in 2024-25 to 8.8% in 2025-26, with $55.2 billion allocated toward gender-specific programs.
• Digital Literacy: The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan has trained over 35 million rural women in digital literacy, ensuring that they are not left behind in the digital revolution. 

Legal Framework for Women’s Rights in India

• Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018: Enhanced penalties for crimes against women.
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013.
• POCSO Act, 2012: Strengthened laws against child abuse.
• Ban on Triple Talaq (2019): Criminalizing instant divorce practices.
• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Penalizes dowry-related offenses.
• Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006: Protects minors from forced marriages.

Challenges Faced by Women in India

• Gender-Based Violence: Women in India face high rates of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and abuse.
  • Nearly one-third of women in India have experienced physical or sexual violence as per the National Family Health Survey-5.
• Economic Inequality: Women have limited access to equal economic opportunities, fair wages, and leadership roles. The gender pay gap and occupational segregation persist, particularly in informal sectors.
  • The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2024 ranks India 129th out of 146 countries. 
  • India is one of the economies with the lowest levels of economic parity (39.8%).
• Limited Political Representation: Although the Women’s Reservation Bill promises 33% representation in legislatures, women remain underrepresented in political decision-making at all levels.
  • Women constitute 13.6% members of the new Lok Sabha in 2024, far below the global average of 26.5%. 
• Healthcare Disparities: Women, particularly in rural areas, face barriers to accessing quality healthcare, including maternal and reproductive health services. 
  • India’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stands at 97 per 100,000 live births while the SDG Target is to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100 000 live births.
• Social and Cultural Norms: Deep-rooted patriarchal norms restrict women’s autonomy, limit their mobility, and perpetuate practices like child marriage and dowry.
  • 23% of women aged 20-24 were married before 18, as per NFHS-5. 
  • Dowry-related deaths accounted for 7,000 cases in 2021 (NCRB).
• Digital Divide: Women, especially in rural areas, have limited access to digital tools and literacy, hindering their participation in the digital economy and access to online resources.
  • Only33% women in India have ever used the internet, compared to more 57% of men. 
  • Rural India faces an even more pronounced divide, with men twice as likely as women to have used the internet (49% vs 25%).

Way Forward

• Investing in Young Women: Strengthening their leadership and addressing systemic barriers will be key to accelerating progress.
• Strengthen Legal Frameworks: Ensure stricter enforcement of laws like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) and Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act to combat gender-based violence effectively.
  • The Nirbhaya Fund, established after the 2012 Delhi gang rape, has allocated over Rs. 10,000 crore for women’s safety initiatives, but implementation gap is there.
• Promote Economic Empowerment: Implement equal pay policies, provide skill development programs, and expand access to credit and digital financial tools to bridge the gender pay gap and boost women’s participation in the economy.
  • The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) has empowered over 100 million rural women through self-help groups (SHGs).
• Increase Political Representation: Swiftly implement the Women’s Reservation Bill to ensure 33% representation in legislatures and provide training and support for women leaders at all levels of governance.
• Improve Healthcare Access: Strengthen rural healthcare infrastructure, launch awareness programs about maternal and reproductive health, and address malnutrition through initiatives like the Poshan Abhiyaan.
  • The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana provides financial assistance to pregnant women, but there are still gaps in implementation, especially in rural areas.
• Challenge Social and Cultural Norms: Use media and community programs to challenge patriarchal norms, enforce laws against child marriage and dowry, and promote women’s autonomy and decision-making in households.
  • The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign has improved the child sex ratio in states like Haryana.
• Bridge the Digital Divide: Expand digital literacy programs like the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan, provide affordable internet access, and educate women about online safety to enhance their participation in the digital economy.
  • The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan has trained over 35 million rural women in digital literacy, ensuring they can participate in the digital economy. 
• Ensure Workplace Equality: Enforce compliance with the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017, create safe work environments free from harassment, and establish affordable childcare facilities to support working mothers.
• Enhance Access to Education: Build schools with proper sanitation facilities, provide scholarships for girls from marginalized communities, and ensure access to menstrual hygiene products to reduce dropout rates.
  • Lack of menstrual hygiene facilities in schools contributes to 20% of girls dropping out after puberty, as per a UNICEF report.