New York, February 12 (HS): India’s Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said that India has made significant progress towards solving issues related to poverty, malnutrition and health care. It has also played a leading role in the digital public infrastructure of sustainable development in the world. She expressed this view on Tuesday in the 63rd session of the five-day Social Development Commission (CSOCD) held here from February 10.
Representatives from 49 countries, including ministers from France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Sweden, participated in this session. She said that India is with the Social Development Commission at every step in global progress. The Press and Information Office of the Government of India has released the details of Savitri Thakur’s address. Savitri Thakur presented India’s vision to the world on the ministerial platform. She said that India firmly believes that no one should be left behind in this matter. Since the 1995 Copenhagen Social Development Summit, India has focused on issues related to poverty, malnutrition and universal health care and has made significant progress. Today’s India has become a model for the Global South. India is moving forward with the vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas. India has achieved financial inclusion for underprivileged communities, women, persons with disabilities and the elderly through initiatives such as the JAM Trinity policy (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile).
She said India has launched comprehensive programs to eliminate the gender digital divide. This has promoted digital and financial literacy in rural areas. It has empowered millions of women entrepreneurs from start-ups to scalable businesses. India is working towards accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda for Development. A key priority is to increase women’s workforce participation. India’s robust social protection model includes 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, maternity benefits for 37.5 million mothers, a vast network of One Stop Centres and an integrated National Women’s Helpline. In addition, India’s early childhood care, nutrition and education initiatives are benefiting over 100 million children, mothers and adolescent girls.
Savitri Thakur said India’s rights-based approach has transformed the lives of women and disadvantaged communities. Over 40 million houses have been built for the poor. Women are either sole or joint owners of these. Nearly 100 million women have been linked to self-help groups. India is fully committed to accelerating global progress and supporting the Commission’s efforts towards a just world for all.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
