The political awakening of Indian women is one of the most significant transformations of the past decade. From beneficiaries of welfare to stakeholders in governance, women today are not merely voters—they are decision-makers. The question before them is simple: which political leadership has translated promises into measurable change?
Supporters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, like me indeed, argue that his tenure marks a decisive shift from rhetoric to implementation on women’s empowerment. For decades, women’s representation and welfare were political talking points. Even during the long years of Congress dominance—including under former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi—symbolism often overshadowed systemic reform. While individual women rose to powerful offices, broad-based empowerment did not always keep pace.
In contrast, the BJP-led NDA government has positioned women at the centre of its governance model. The election of Droupadi Murmu as President is frequently cited as an example of inclusivity beyond political dynasties and elite circles. For many grassroots workers within the BJP, her rise symbolizes expanded opportunity for women from marginalized communities.
The Union Budget 2025–26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, reinforces this narrative. With a record allocation of ₹4.49 lakh crore for gender-focused initiatives—a 37% increase over the previous year—the budget places women’s welfare and economic participation at the forefront of fiscal policy.
Economic Empowerment at Scale
A major thrust is on strengthening women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) through the revamped National Rural Livelihood Mission. By deepening financial access and market linkages, the government aims to raise women’s participation in economic activities to 70% under the broader “Viksit Bharat” vision.
India Post’s repositioning as a logistics hub is another strategic move. By improving rural connectivity and distribution networks, it offers women entrepreneurs greater market access—particularly those in small towns and villages.
For aspiring businesswomen, a new scheme offers term loans of up to ₹2 crore for first-time women, SC, and ST entrepreneurs over the next five years. Complementing this are customized credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit for micro-enterprises, designed to ease working capital constraints for women-led ventures. The emphasis is not merely on lending but on capacity-building through online managerial training programs.
Health, Nutrition, and Social Security
Economic empowerment is only sustainable when accompanied by health and social protection. Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, enhanced nutritional support is targeted at over one crore pregnant women and lactating mothers. Additionally, 200 day-care cancer centres are planned across district hospitals, addressing a critical gap in accessible oncology services.
The expansion of the PM Jan Arogya Yojana to include gig workers—many of whom are women on digital platforms—signals recognition of changing employment patterns. By extending health insurance to this segment, the government aims to provide a safety net to women in emerging sectors.
Skilling and Infrastructure
The establishment of National Centres of Excellence for Skilling aims to equip women with industry-relevant skills, thereby improving their employability across traditional and modern sectors. Simultaneously, a new urban livelihoods scheme seeks to uplift socio-economically vulnerable women workers in cities.
For the first time, the Ministries of Railways and Ports, Shipping & Waterways have been included in the Gender Budget framework, underscoring a focus on safer and more accessible transport infrastructure—an issue directly linked to women’s workforce participation.
A Political Choice Framed Around Delivery
Proponents argue that the BJP’s approach combines symbolism with structural reform—placing women not only in visible offices but also at the centre of economic planning. Whether through financial inclusion, entrepreneurship support, healthcare expansion, or infrastructure safety, the thrust is toward measurable outcomes.
As Indian women evaluate their political choices, the debate ultimately rests on performance versus promise. The current government’s supporters contend that the record of the past decade, capped by the expansive provisions of Budget 2025–26, offers a compelling case for continued backing—anchored in the belief that empowerment must be institutional, not incidental.
