Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday emphasized the importance of women-led development, stating that respecting women is the first step toward a nation’s progress. Speaking at a public gathering in Navsari after launching initiatives like G-SAFAL and G-MAITRI, PM Modi said, “I am the wealthiest person because my account is filled with the blessings of mothers and sisters, and this blessing continues to grow.”
Highlighting the government’s focus on empowering women, PM Modi said India is on a path of women-led development. “Our government gives the highest priority to the dignity and convenience of women. We have built toilets for crores of women, enhancing their dignity. We have opened bank accounts for crores of women, connecting them to the banking system,” he noted.
The Prime Minister also pointed out welfare measures like the provision of Ujjwala gas cylinders, which freed women from the health hazards of smoke, and the extension of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for working women.
He also addressed the government’s efforts in protecting women’s rights, mentioning the abolition of triple talaq and the restoration of property rights for women in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. “Modi showed how to respect the Constitution by abrogating Article 370,” he emphasized.
PM Modi celebrated women’s rising participation in governance and key sectors. “Since 2014, the number of women in leadership positions has increased rapidly. The central government has the highest number of women ministers, and women’s representation in Parliament has also risen. In 2019, 78 women MPs were elected, and this time, there are 74 women MPs,” he said.
He also acknowledged the growing presence of women in the judiciary, start-up ecosystem, and space science. “In district courts, women’s representation has crossed 35 percent. In several states, over 50 percent of new civil judge appointments are women. India’s thriving start-up ecosystem sees almost half of the investors as women, and many major space missions are being led by teams of women scientists,” PM Modi remarked with pride.
Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister said India takes immense pride in having the highest number of women pilots in the world — a testament to the nation’s commitment to empowering women and ensuring they lead from the front in every sector.
