NE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT BUREAU
NEW DELHI, MAR 8
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on Saturday called for stronger participation of women in nation-building, stating that true development can be achieved only when women—who constitute nearly half of the population—play an equal role in shaping the country’s future.
LIVE: President Droupadi Murmu addresses the International Women’s Day Celebrations in New Delhi https://t.co/UbMPqtdj4U
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 8, 2026
Addressing the International Women’s Day celebrations in New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the President emphasised that women today are emerging as leaders across diverse sectors ranging from education and governance to science, entrepreneurship and sports.
- Droupadi Murmu highlights women’s rising leadership across education, science, entrepreneurship and governance
- National event hosted by Ministry of Women and Child Development celebrates achievements of women across sectors
- Government initiatives—from STEM education to Start-up India—strengthen the path for women-led development
- President urges society to eliminate discrimination and support girls to achieve their full potential
“To achieve development in the true sense, we must ensure equal participation of women, who constitute nearly half of the country’s population,” the President said.
Women Leading Across Sectors
Highlighting the changing role of women in modern India, President Murmu noted that women are excelling in education, administration, judiciary, the armed forces, medicine, science, technology, arts and entrepreneurship.
She said women in rural India are becoming economically empowered through Self-Help Groups, while many others are providing leadership in panchayats and local governance, helping accelerate grassroots development.
“Women are playing leading role in every field—education, administration, judiciary, military, medicine, science, technology, arts and entrepreneurship,” she said.
The President also pointed to the growing presence of women in the corporate world, startups and sports, stating that these examples prove that given equal opportunities and support, women can achieve excellence in every field.
India Moving Towards Women-Led Development
The President observed that India is steadily moving towards women-led development, supported by policy initiatives that have removed barriers and expanded opportunities for women over the past decade.
She highlighted that the country has already achieved gender parity in school education, while in higher education, female students now outnumber male students in terms of Gross Enrolment Ratio.
Women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is also growing rapidly.
The Union Budget 2026–27 has proposed establishing women’s hostels in every district, aimed at supporting female students pursuing STEM education and helping them continue their studies without barriers.
“Our daughters are getting ready for leadership roles in the knowledge economy,” the President said.
Women as Job Creators
The President also noted the growing role of women entrepreneurs in India’s economic landscape.
Under the Start-up India initiative, more than half of supported startups have at least one woman director, reflecting the rising influence of women in innovation-driven businesses.
Additionally, over two lakh women-owned MSMEs are currently active on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform.
The newly introduced SHE-Mart initiative, announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, is expected to expand market access for products created by self-help groups and rural women entrepreneurs.
Changing Mindsets is Crucial
Despite these achievements, President Murmu stressed that many challenges remain, including gender discrimination, unequal pay for equal work and domestic violence.
She emphasised that while laws and policies are important, societal attitudes must change to ensure genuine gender equality.
“These cannot be addressed solely through legislation. A shift in societal mindset is essential. Only when we move beyond the mindset of gender-based discrimination can we truly establish equality in society,” she said.
A Call for Collective Responsibility
Looking ahead to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, the President underscored the need to empower women so that the country can fully harness its human potential.
“For our country to progress rapidly and for realising the full potential of citizens for the national benefit, it is essential that we not only inspire women to dream big but also support them at every step in achieving those dreams.”
She urged citizens to pledge on International Women’s Day to ensure education, respect, safety and equal opportunities for every girl, and to work collectively to eliminate discrimination from society.
“In an environment free from fear and discrimination, women can contribute their best towards nation-building.”
