Beyond ‘Beijing’, Unlocking a Feminist Future in India

India has improved gender equality through policies, economic growth, and legal reforms while tackling gender violence.

Beijing Declaration 1995

• About: The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is one of the most comprehensive global blueprints for advancing women’s rights. 
• Global Participation: The Beijing meeting (1995) was a landmark event that brought together world leaders and 17,000 delegates from 189 countries and more than 200 Indian women, along with the Government of India.
• Objectives: The primary goal was to accelerate women’s equality by addressing 12 critical areas of concern.
• Progress: India’s progress in gender equality reflects sustained policy efforts, grassroots movements, and the resilience of women and girls.
• Focus: The Beijing Declaration focused on key areas of concern, including poverty reduction, education and training, health, violence against women, women’s economic empowerment.
  • And influence in decision-making to promote gender equality and women’s rights globally.

Gender Equality

• Gender Equality ≠ Only Equal Pay: It encompasses broader aspects of society.
• Coverage: Includes education, health, economy, decision-making, and a violence-free society.
• Global Priority: The United Nations emphasizes gender equality as essential for national development.

Improvements in Maternal Health and Education

• Maternal Healthcare: Institutional deliveries increased to 95% under initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which focus on maternal healthcare and financial support for pregnant women.
• Reduced MMR: Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) reduced from 130 to 97 deaths per 1,00,000 births (2014-2020, SRS data).
• Access : 56.5% of married women use modern contraceptives, enabling better reproductive health choices.
• Universal Healthcare: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the world’s largest government-funded healthcare scheme, has provided millions of women with free medical treatment.
• Educational Advancements: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) improved the child sex ratio and increased school enrollments for girls.
• NEP 2020 : The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes higher retention rates in schools, greater inclusion of girls in STEM fields, and the integration of skill development and life skills training to ensure holistic and equitable education.
• Improved Sanitation: Improved sanitation facilities reduced menstruation-related absences with UNICEF’s support.

Economic Empowerment and Digital Inclusion

• Financial Inclusion: National Rural and Urban Livelihood Missions connected 100 million women to financial networks via Self-Help Groups (SHGs). 
  • Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enabled women to access digital banking, savings, and investments.
• Financial Literacy: The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission provided access to credit and livelihood opportunities, along with financial literacy programs benefiting over 100 million rural women to enhance economic empowerment.
• Addressing Digital Divide: Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan trained 35 million rural women in digital literacy, ensuring inclusion in the digital economy.
• Gender-Responsive Budgeting: India has strengthened financing for women’s empowerment through gender budgeting. 
  • Gender Budget share in the total national budget increased from 6.8% (2024-25) to 8.8% (2025-26). $55.2 billion allocated toward gender-specific programs, with support from UN Women.

Steps taken by India for Gender Equality

• Gender-Based Violence: Despite the Beijing Declaration’s call to end violence against women, gender-based violence remains a challenge globally.
• Support for Survivors: 770 One Stop Centres provide essential medical, legal, and psychological support. 
• Legal Protection: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (effective July 2024) strengthens legal protections and justice mechanisms for women.
• Innovative Responses: Odisha’s blockchain-based system ensures swift, confidential, and coordinated survivor support. UN Population Fund & Rajasthan Police Academy partnership enhances gender-responsive policing and access to justice.

Women’s Leadership and Policy Changes

• Leadership: Women are leading in climate action, digital entrepreneurship, and STEM fields, supported by key initiatives like 
  • Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI), which promotes women in STEM, and the 
  • G20 TechEquity platform, which trains thousands of young women in emerging technologies.
• Governance: Women’s Reservation Bill ensures 33% legislative representation, empowering 1.5 million women political leaders. 
  • Women are driving transformation in technology, entrepreneurship, governance, and social development.

Way Forward

• Global Imperative: The 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration highlights that gender equality is a global priority. India’s progress is driven by strong government leadership and global partnerships.
• Accelerating Progress: Strengthening collaborations with local and global partners. Investing in young women’s leadership to foster innovation and inclusivity. Addressing systemic barriers to create a gender-equal society.

Conclusion

Women-led development, financial inclusion, and social transformation are at the core of India’s gender agenda. India is setting a global benchmark for inclusive and sustainable growth, crucial for today’s world.