Economic Empowerment Of Women Fuels Growth: PM Modi At G20 Event

Addressing a conference on women's empowerment, PM Modi underscored the need to create a level-playing field for women entrepreneurs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said economic empowerment of women fuels growth he pitched for a "women-led development approach". Virtually addressing the 'Ministerial Conference on Women's Empowerment' as part of India's G20 Presidency, PM Modi underscored the need to create a level-playing field for women entrepreneurs, PTI reported.

"India is making strides in women's empowerment. With women, the world prospers. 46% of elected officials are women. More than 80% of nurses and midwives in India are women," PM Modi said.

"The economic empowerment of women fuels growth. Their access to education drives global progress. Their leadership fosters inclusivity and their voices inspire a positive change," he further said.

PM Modi said the most effective way to empower women was through a women-led development approach.

"Our goal should be to create a level-playing platform where women achievers become the norm. We must work to remove barriers which restrict their access to markets, global value chain and affordable finance," the PM said.

PM Modi mentioned President Droupadi Murmu and spoke on the example she has set. "Our President Shrimati Droupadi Murmu sets an inspiring example herself. She comes from a humble tribal background but now leads the world's largest democracy, serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the world's second-largest defence force," PM Modi said.

On July 25, 2022, Murmu assumed office as India's first tribal President as well as the second female president after Pratibha Patil.

PM Modi stressed that women-led development was a key priority for the government. "Around 70 per cent of loans under the PM Mudra Yojana have been sanctioned to women. These are loans up to Rs 1 million to support micro level units. Similarly, 80 per cent of beneficiaries under the Stand Up India (government programme) are women," the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi also said one-fourth of space scientists in India were women and their "talent and hardwork is behind the success of the space programmes like Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and Mission Mars".

"Today, more women are enrolling in higher education than men in India. We also have one of the highest number of women pilots in civil aviation. And female pilots in the Indian Air Force are now flying fighter aircraft," he said.