New Delhi, 26 June (H.S.): Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Friday addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Women’s Forum-2026, held in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, through a video message. During her address, she reaffirmed India’s unwavering commitment to the core principles of the SCO—mutual respect, equality and consensus—and described women’s empowerment as the cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable development.

Addressing the session on the theme The Role of Women in Economic Development, Annapurna Devi said that women are not merely beneficiaries of development but the most powerful drivers of economic progress and social transformation. She emphasised that India’s development model places women at its centre, with the government making continuous efforts to empower them economically, socially and politically.

She said that women-led development is the central pillar of India’s vision to achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. In line with this vision, the government is effectively implementing several initiatives aimed at promoting women’s self-reliance, encouraging entrepreneurship and ensuring their meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

The Union Minister noted that nearly 100 million women across the country are associated with more than nine million Self-Help Groups (SHGs). As a result of these sustained efforts, more than 30 million women have become Lakhpati Didis, strengthening the rural economy while serving as an inspiration for countless other women.

Annapurna Devi said that flagship schemes such as Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0 are playing a significant role in promoting women’s safety, health, nutrition, care and economic empowerment. Through these initiatives, the government is working on a large scale to ensure the holistic development of women and children.

She further stated that India remains committed to sharing its experience in promoting women’s economic leadership, entrepreneurship and inclusive development with fellow SCO member states. She added that India will continue to strengthen cooperation in the field of women’s empowerment and work collectively to accelerate regional development through shared efforts.

Concluding her address, the Union Minister said that inclusive and sustainable development cannot be achieved without providing women with equal opportunities, access to resources and leadership roles. She called upon SCO member countries to further strengthen partnerships in the field of women’s empowerment, asserting that only through collective efforts can more prosperous, inclusive and equitable societies be built.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar