Lok Sabha Question No. 2302 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-26
Subject: Economic Empowerment of Women
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: NALIN KUMAR KATEEL, DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

- (a) Yes, Madam.

(b) The  issue  of  equality  for  every  woman  and  girl  is  covered  under  the  SDG  5,  which  reads, 'Achieve  gender  equality  and  empower  all  women  and  girls.'    Focusing  on  gender  equality,  the Targets under the Goal focus on a number of areas important for women and girls, such as, ending all forms  of  discrimination  (5.1),  eliminating  all  forms  of  violence  against  all  women  and  girls  (5.2); eliminating  all  harmful  practices,  such  as  child,  early  and  forced  marriage  (5.3);  and  also  valuing unpaid  care  and  domestic  work  (5.4).  Further,  it  is  widely  recognized  that  without  addressing  the issues of equality of women and girls, the SDGs are unlikely to be achieved. Some of the critical areas under other SDGs, for instance, are: ensuring equal access to economic resources for women (SDG 1 End poverty in all its forms everywhere); access of girls and women to nutritious food and health care (SDG  2  -  End  hunger,  achieve  food  security  and  improved  nutrition  and  promote  sustainable agriculture) and SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages); access to education at all levels (SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2302 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.12.2018

## ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

## 2302. SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: SHRI D. K. SURESH:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a historic opportunity to pursue transformational measures to ensure equality for every woman and girl, everywhere in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that women's economic empowerment is central to the achievement of the SDGs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

learning  opportunities  for  all);  and  creating access  to  decent  jobs  (SDG  8  -  Promote  sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all).

(c) The Government has taken note of the fact that women's economic empowerment is central to the achievement  of  the  SDGs.  Several  major  programmes  reflect  increasing  benefits  to  women.  Some illustrative  examples  are  given  below.  Under  the  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the trend regarding women taking up more than 50 percent of jobs is continuing since 2013-14. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) seeks to reach out to 8-10 crore rural poor households in a phased manner by 2024-25 and organize one woman member from each household  into  Self-Help  Groups  (SHGs)  or  SHG  federations,  which  have  proved  to  be  successful vehicles  of  women's  economic  empowerment.  So  far  more  than  5.6  crore  households  have  been mobilized into SHGs and revolving fund support amounting to Rs. 2,412 crore has been provided to the SHGs. Further, the Government has brought several sweeping changes in terms of labour reforms for the benefit of women workers including the establishment of Mahila e-Haat and Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017. The Mahila e-Haats provide an online market place to approximately 3.75 lakh women entrepreneurs to market their products online. Under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017, maternity leave is enhanced for up to six months.

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