Women Are Now Key Drivers of Progress in India: FM Sitharaman
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that over the past 11 years, women have become central to India’s development journey. Speaking on the theme of “11 Years of Sashakt Nari,” she credited various government schemes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for empowering women across social and economic spheres.
Jan Dhan Yojana: Financial Inclusion Led by Women
The Finance Minister noted that 55.7% of all Jan Dhan accounts—under the world’s largest financial inclusion initiative—are held by women. These accounts have played a pivotal role in bringing rural and underserved women into the formal banking system. As of now, the average balance per account has increased from ₹1,065 in 2015 to ₹4,352, with 80% of accounts actively used.
MUDRA Loans Enabling Female Entrepreneurship
Women comprise 68% of MUDRA loan beneficiaries. These micro-loans have allowed lakhs of women to launch small businesses, becoming self-reliant entrepreneurs. The MUDRA Yojana has proven to be a game changer for grassroots-level economic empowerment.
Major Share in PMAY and Start-Up India
FM Sitharaman also shared that 74% of Start-Up India entrepreneurs are women. Additionally, 73% of homes sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) are owned by women, securing both shelter and financial stability for them.
Ujjwala Yojana: Health and Dignity for Rural Women
Under the Ujjwala Yojana, 10 crore LPG connections have been distributed to women, replacing unsafe and polluting fuel sources. This has drastically improved the health and daily lives of millions of women, especially in rural India.
Empowerment Beyond Numbers
Sitharaman emphasized that women are not just beneficiaries but are now significant contributors to India’s growth. With 66.6% of Jan Dhan accounts opened in rural and semi-urban areas, women have become active participants in the nation’s financial transformation.
