It has been difficult for women to have a say in matters that impact them for quite some time. The rise spearheaded by women has, however, come to fruition under Narendra Modi’s leadership as India’s prime minister and chief minister of Gujarat. Now, famous people like Arati Devi, Chhavi Rajawat, and Sushma Bhadu are gladly standing in for this grassroots change.
Concepts like equality and inclusion are given more complexity and depth by the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, a much awaited and rightfully lauded milestone on this road ahead. There must be 33% female representation in the House of Representatives and in state legislatures according the Act. Passage of the Act is a victory for the law on its own, but it also represents the societal shift that has resulted from the dramatic changes executed by the Modi government throughout the last nine years.Â
The Prime Minister asserts that the Act would uplift Matrushakti’s spirits, and the subsequent self-confidence will serve as an unmatched catalyst for the nation’s advancement. There are numerous areas in which the Act stands out.
First and foremost, it marks a turning point in the fight for women’s equality, a time when the strength and potential of every person were lastly recognized and honored. The trailblazing work of women sarpanches in India demonstrates the power of women-led development initiatives. The ghunghat, or veil, is a long-established practice that continues in many rural parts of India; Sushma Bhadu became famous for her fight against it. By contrast, Chhavi Rajawat rocked her community by desilting traditional water sources, constructing restrooms, bolstering the agricultural economy, and urging companies to contribute in social development programs. Indeed, there are several examples in ancient Indian culture of women leading the way in government. Kumaradevi, the wife of Chandragupta Maurya, supposedly had a considerable effect on the state’s government. The women of the Bhauma-Kara dynasty in eastern India achieved the status of queen and were very effective rulers.
In the future, it will contribute to the achievements of women in public life and enrich the social and political fabric of India with new ideas and well-considered policies.
Evidence from a variety of national and international research shows that women in leadership positions are more likely to allocate substantial funds on public goods that are important to comprehensive development, including healthcare, clean water, elementary education, and infrastructure.Â
For this reason, the Act will motivate female lawmakers to push gender-neutral legislation and reforms at the state level, where they will have a higher chance of succeeding and creating a lasting influence. It is the goal of the Modi government to have women take the lead in women’s development rather than the other way around. Today, women would not only be the target of policies and strategies, but they would also be the ones to design and implement them.
Dr. BR Ambedkar believed that the advancement of women was a true measure of a country’s progress. Similarly, half of humanity must be a part of India’s development paradigm if the country aspires to become a developed nation by 2047. As Matri Devo Bhava is given its rightful place in the history of Indian democracy and offers a vision of a more equitable future, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, an initiative of the Modi administration, will breathe new life into the national discourse around empowerment, development, and advancement.
