New Delhi, Apr 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that women would shape India’s future.

Addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan programme at Vigyan Bhawan on the occasion of Baisakhi and ahead of New Year celebrations in various parts of the country, PM Modi paid tribute to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre victims.

“India is about to take one of the biggest decisions of the 21st century, a decision dedicated to women power,” he said.

Describing the moment as historic, the PM said the nation’s Parliament was close to creating a new history that would fulfill the visions of the past and the resolutions of the future.

Emphasising the importance of social justice, he said that the country envisions an egalitarian India where social justice is not merely a slogan but an integral part of the work culture.

“The wait of decades, from state assemblies to the nation’s Parliament, is coming to an end,” PM Modi said.

Recalling the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act in the new Parliament building in 2023, he said that it was passed unanimously with all parties agreeing that it should be implemented by 2029 in any case. The PM said that the Nari Shakti Vandan Act must be implemented on time so that women’s participation strengthens democracy, for which a special session of Parliament’s Budget Session would begin from April 16.

“Our effort and priority is that this work should be accomplished through dialogue, cooperation, and participation, which will enhance the dignity of Parliament,” he said.

Acknowledging the nationwide enthusiasm among women on this issue, PM Modi said that women across the country were voicing their aspirations about reaching assemblies and the Lok Sabha.

He said that their dreams had received new wings and a positive atmosphere had been created in the country.

“I appeal to all women to maintain their active participation in this entire process and meet their MPs to share their perspectives and expectations,” the PM said.

Tracing the contribution of women from the freedom struggle to the Constituent Assembly, he highlighted the immense role of women in laying the foundation of independent India.

PM Modi said that women who received opportunities for representation had done outstanding work for the nation.

He said that even today, in India, from the President to the Finance Minister, women were holding such important positions. “From President to Prime Minister, wherever women have been, they have created their own legacy,” the PM said.

Citing Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as an excellent example of women’s leadership, he said that over 14 lakh women were successfully working in local government bodies.

PM Modi said that in 21 states, their participation in panchayats had reached nearly 50 percent.

“This active participation of lakhs of women in politics and social life surprises even the world’s leading leaders and political experts, enhancing India’s pride,” he said.

Referring to various studies, the PM said that when women’s participation in decision-making processes increased, it brought sensitivity to systems.

He said that this had led to more dedicated work on issues like water, education, health, and nutrition.

“The success of Jal Jeevan Mission is an example where women’s participation at the panchayat level has played a major role,” PM Modi said.

Emphasising that lakhs of women working in local bodies and institutions for years now possess extensive experience, he said that they were ready and eager for bigger roles. The PM said that implementing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act would become a great opportunity in the lives of all such women. “The journey from panchayat to Parliament is going to become easier,” he said.

Highlighting the critical role of women in the developed India journey, PM Modi expressed satisfaction that his government had created schemes for every stage of women’s life cycle since 2014.

He said that from the first breath to the last, the government stands ready to serve sisters and daughters with various schemes.

“We launched Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign to prevent female foeticide, provided Rs 5000 financial assistance under Matru Vandan Yojana for proper nutrition during pregnancy, and started the high-interest Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana to support daughters’ education,” the PM said.

Detailing the comprehensive support system, he mentioned Mission Indradhanush for timely vaccination, toilets under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, nearly free sanitary napkins, financial support under Khel India scheme, and opening the doors to Sainik Schools and National Defence Academy.

PM Modi said that for later stages of life, Ujjwala Yojana provided crore gas connections, Har Ghar Nal Se Jal campaign brought water to homes, free ration scheme ensured food security, and Ayushman Yojana offered health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh.

“All these initiatives, including Jan Aushadhi Kendras offering up to 80 percent discount on medicines, have primarily benefited our sisters and daughters,” he said.

Stressing the necessity of increasing women’s economic participation for their empowerment, the PM said every decision and scheme prioritised this aspect.

He said that previously, family property was mainly registered in men’s names, but under PM Awas Yojana, homes were registered in women’s names on a priority basis.

“In the past 11 years, over 3 crore women have benefited from this decision and become owners of their homes, making them economically empowered,” PM Modi said.

Addressing financial inclusion, he recalled that in 2014, crores of women had never seen a bank’s door.

The PM said that the Jan Dhan Yojana opened bank accounts for over 32 crore women.

“Today our daughters are creating their identity in new businesses, with over 60 percent of Mudra Yojana loans taken by women,” he said.

Highlighting women’s leadership in the startup revolution, PM Modi said that over 45 percent of registered startups had at least one woman working as a director.

He said that to ensure careers were not affected, maternity leave had been extended to 26 weeks.

“The results of Skill India Mission launched years ago are now visible through thousands of Drone Didis revolutionising agriculture by teaching modern farming through technology,” the PM said.

He said that in the past 11 years, nearly 10 crore women had joined Self-Help Groups. PM Modi said that the government had set a target of making 6 crore sisters associated with rural economy into Lakhpati Didis, of which over 3 crore had already achieved this status.

“These women are becoming brand ambassadors of Vocal for Local,” he said.

Emphasising that the women-led development vision has challenged old mindsets, the PM said women today were touching heights in sectors once considered male bastions.

He said Indian women were becoming fighter pilots and touching the skies.

“India has the highest percentage of women pilots compared to any country in the world,” PM Modi said.

He said that PhD enrollment of women had doubled compared to 2014, with nearly half the participation in higher education and research being women.

The PM said that in mathematics and science education, women’s numbers had reached approximately 43 percent.

“These achievements reflect the changing landscape of opportunities for our daughters,” he said.

Addressing women’s safety, a major societal challenge, PM Modi said the government had taken strong steps in this direction.

He said that legal reforms had been made and fast-track special courts established to make the justice system more sensitive and speed up decision-making.

“The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita prioritises women’s safety, simplifies FIR filing procedures allowing e-FIR or Zero-FIR from any location, and provisions for recording victim statements through audio-video,” the PM said.

He assured every mother, sister and daughter of the country that the nation understands their aspirations and was taking every necessary step to realise their dreams. PM Modi said that the country’s women had touched new heights through hard work, courage and self-confidence.

“We must collectively give new energy to this power and expand opportunities for them,” he said.

Making a special appeal, the PM urged women to take the discussions from the Nari Shakti Vandan programme to every village in the country through personal meetings and social media.

“The country needs to make every woman aware of this major decision so they can understand its strength, comprehend their role, and openly dream that in the coming times, they can register their presence from states to the nation’s Parliament,” he said. “Let us all together resolve that Nari Shakti will have their rights and they will become full participants in the decision-making process – this is the biggest guarantee of our bright future.”