Page 7 - Women Empowerment

Will do a caste census and scrap Agnipath scheme: Congress in manifesto

Lok Sabha elections 2024: The Congress party promises to regularise employment, raise 50% cap on reservation, end 'cess raj'

From jobs to MSP, what has changed in Congress' manifesto from 2019

Lok Sabha elections 2024: The manifesto pledged to conduct a nationwide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to assess caste and sub-caste demographics along with their socio-economic status

Saudi Arabia to preside over UN forum on women's rights, gender equality

Saudi ambassador to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, was elected as chair on Wednesday

PM Modi and Bill Gates talk AI, climate change, and women empowerment

Microsoft Co-founder Bill Gates and Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on India's digital transformation and the need to bridging tech divide in the country

Financial inclusion important for economic empowerment of women: Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday urged women entrepreneurs to use digital technology to help small businesses become resilient and champions of change. Addressing the 40th Annual Session of the FICCI Ladies Organisation, Thakur said financial inclusion and going digital was critical to achieving the economic empowerment of women. "Women must be a larger part of the economic development. Empowering women, addressing their concerns and amplifying their voices is a priority for the present government," Thakur said. He said India has the third largest start-up ecosystem in the world with 1.2 lakh start-ups and 110 Unicorns. "Women's contribution will be much more when India will move to become the 3rd largest economy in the next three years," he said. "Adoption of advanced technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) by women can serve as a tool for growth for small businesses in building their resilient capacity," he said. Adoption of digitalisation by small businesses means

Joyshree Das Verma takes over as FICCI Ladies Organisation president

Joyshree Das Verma took over as the 41st National president of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the oldest women-led and women-centric business chamber of South East Asia for 2024-25. She has been appointed by Israel as its Honorary Consul for Northeast India. Verma is also the Director of HR firm Kaapro Management Solutions Pvt Ltd. "I am honoured to lead FICCI FLO as the 41st National President. Under the theme 'Collective Vision, Collaborative Action for the year 2024-25, our endeavour is to build a strong, inclusive community dedicated to sustainable progress, fostering individual growth, and inspiring impactful change," she said.

PM disburses Rs 8,000-cr loans at Sashakt Nari, Viksit Bharat programme

The PM disbursed around Rs 8,000 crore in loans to SHGs at a subsidised interest rate through bank linkage camps set up in each district

Govt resolved to make 30 million women 'lakhpati didi', says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government has resolved to make three crore women in the country "lakhpati didi" and asserted that women's welfare is their priority. The PM was speaking after virtually inaugurating the 'Mahtari Vandan' scheme in Chhattisgarh to provide monetary assistance to women. "It is fortunate that today I got an opportunity to dedicate the Mahtari Vandan scheme aimed at empowering 'nari shakti'. Under the scheme, we had promised to give Rs 1,000 per month to more than 70 lakh women and today, the BJP government has fulfilled it," Modi said addressing the function via video conference. The first installment of Rs 655 crore was deposited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries (married women) under the scheme on Sunday, he said. "I should have been among you today for this programme, but due to some other engagements I am in Uttar Pradesh. I am speaking from Kashi, the land of Baba Vishwanath, who is also showering his blessings on you," he ...

Nearly 75% of women-led startups still unfunded, says Tracxn report

There are currently 117,254 startups in the country, according to data from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

Number of board seats held by women in India Inc grew in last 5 yrs: Report

The number of board seats held by women across India Inc has increased gradually over the past five years with them holding 18.3 per cent board seats in 2023, a Deloitte report said on Friday. The 'Women in the boardroom: A global perspective' report, however, said that it is lower than the global average of 23.3 per cent. The report by Deloitte Global Boardroom Program analysed more than 18,000 companies in 50 countries exploring representation of women in the boardroom. This includes analysis of 400 companies from India. "Boardroom diversity requires a paradigm shift. Since many companies prefer to recruit board members with CEO or CFO experience, these numbers do not paint an optimistic outlook for pipeline development. India Inc. must break from historical patterns and prioritise capabilities over past roles," Deloitte South Asia Chairperson Shefali Goradia said. The report shows a gradual increase in the number of board seats held by women across India Inc, with women holding

International Women's Day: Hope of a better life eludes ASHA, site workers

Pay disparity, absence of social security or support system remain dominant themes

Watched 'Article 370', film shows complexity of problem: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said he has watched the film 'Article 370' with his family at a theatre here, and said the movie shows the "complexity" of the "problem" as well as the "challenging solution". "Today I went to a cinema hall in Delhi with my family and watched the movie 'Article 370'. I heard praise for this film from many people. The film is inspired by true events and presents the events of the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in a very effective manner," Singh said in a post on X in Hindi. "This film shows how complex this problem was and how challenging the solution was and it also presents a good example of women empowerment. I congratulate the producer-director and all the actors of this film for their effective presentation," he wrote. The central government on August 5, 2019, had revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated it into Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and ...

Working women pip men in life insurance policy ownership, says survey

They also lead in insurance ownership, homemaker women lag

Sudha Murty nominated to RS, PM lauds her contribution in diverse fields

Philanthropist and author Sudha Murty was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding her contribution in diverse fields. Modi asserted in a post on X that her presence in the Upper House is a powerful testament to "Nari Shakti" (women power), exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping the nation's destiny. Wishing her a fruitful tenure, he said, "I am delighted that the President of India has nominated Sudha Murty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring." Murty, wife of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, is also the chairperson of the Murty Trust and has authored several books. The 73-year-old, whose nomination comes on International Women's Day, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023.

Women-led direct-to-consumer brands see 54-fold growth in 2023: Simpl

Women-led D2C brands growth in 2023 was driven by demand in beauty, apparel, and personal care. Rising internet commerce in non-metro cities fuel this trend

PM Modi hits out at TMC over Sandeshkhali incident, party retorts

PM accused the West Bengal government of using all its might to save the "oppressor of women", a reference to suspended Trinamool leader and Sandeshkhali strongman Sheikh Shahjahan

Best of BS Opinion: Women's rights as a power play, Different lanes & more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Women's rights as a power play

With elections approaching, women have become the focus of political contestations, but no amount of handouts can change the reality of gender disparity in India

Promoting women to leadership roles step in overcoming bias: Justice Kohli

Promoting women to leadership positions, encouraging their participation as key speakers at conferences and ensuring their representation on panels are steps towards overcoming an unconscious bias against them, Supreme Court judge Justice Hima Kolhi has said. Justice Kohli was speaking on Tuesday at a programme organised by the International Arbitration & Mediation Centre, Hyderabad and others here on the topic of The Sociological Dimension of International Arbitration: Impartiality & Diversity'. She said promoting women to leadership positions will recognise the true value which they bring to the table as decision makers. Corporate entities, as significant stakeholders in arbitration, have a critical role to play. They are expected to include women in lists of potential arbitrators or in counsel roles. Providing young women lawyers with internships and opening doors to gaining practical experiences in legal departments and government sectors can pave the way for their future .

63% women aspire to be entrepreneurs, seek financial independence: Study

The fourth edition of the PayNearby Women Financial Index finds more women are seeking financial independence, adopting digital payments, and seeking better financial planning