5th Plan (1974–79)

First time Women’s Welfare was recognized; creation of DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas).

6th Plan (1980–85)

Women’s development shifted from welfare to development approach.

7th Plan (1985–90)

Emphasis on training, employment, and income-generating activities.

8th Plan (1992–97)

Shift from development to empowerment of women.

9th Plan (1997–2002)

Introduction of Women Component Plan (WCP) (minimum 30% of funds for women in schemes).

10th Plan (2002–07)

Adoption of Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) and focus on gender budgeting.

11th Plan (2007–12)

Focus on inclusive growth, education, health, and gender-based violence.

12th Plan (2012–17)

Emphasis on gender mainstreaming, violence prevention, skill and entrepreneurship development.

International Day of Rural Women

15 October

National Girl Child Day (India)

24 January

International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women

25 November

International Day of the Girl Child

11 October

Women in Agriculture Day

4 December

International Women’s Day

8 March

Equal Remuneration Act

1976 – Equal pay for equal work.

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act

2017 – Increased paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks.

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act

2013 – Legal protection against workplace harassment.

Indian Succession Act

1925 – Equal inheritance rights.

The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act

2005 – Equal rights in ancestral property for daughters.

Gender Inequality Index (GII)

Measures health, empowerment, and labour market participation.

Global Gender Gap Index (WEF)

Measures gaps in Economic, Political, Educational, and Health criteria.

Women Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI)

Measures empowerment based on production, resources, income, time, leadership.

Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK)

Empowering rural women through community participation.

UJJAWALA

Combating trafficking and rehabilitation of victims.

SWADHAR Greh Scheme

Provides shelter, food, clothing, legal and economic support to women in distress.

One-Stop Centre Scheme (Sakhi)

Support to women affected by violence, launched in 2015.

Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP)

Skill training for employability of women.

Working Women Hostel Scheme

Safe accommodation for working women.

CEDAW

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (ratified by India in 1993).

Beijing Platform for Action (1995)

12 critical areas of concern for women empowerment.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5)

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

UN Women

Created in 2010 to coordinate international efforts on gender equality.

Dr. Vibha Ahuja

Noted for biotech crop regulations.

Sunitha Krishnan

Social activist working for trafficking victims.

Ela Bhatt

Founder of SEWA – Self Employed Women’s Association.

Padma Shri Rahibai Soma Popere

“Seed Mother of India” – for indigenous seed conservation.

Dr. M. S. Swaminathan’s wife – Mina Swaminathan

A pioneer in early childhood care and women in development.

Chanda Kochhar

Former CEO of ICICI Bank, promoted women’s financial inclusion.

Arunachalam Muruganantham’s wife (Shanthi)

Inspired low-cost sanitary pad innovation revolutionizing rural women’s hygiene.

Binita Shah

Organic farming and biodiversity conservation in Gujarat.

Dr. Rukmini Rao

Feminist, grassroots activist, co-founder of Asmita Collective.