Nari Shakti is just a slogan for most political parties. Empowering women will require more than just empty slogans, populist announcements or making symbolic laws. Women and child safety in particular remains a matter of concern.
The country still has a long way to go in terms of maternal and child mortality or nutrition. From integrated child development services to Poshan Abhiyaan, a lot has been done but still a lot remains to be done. There is a lot of work to be done for both the women ministers.
What needs to be done
safety of women
Crimes against women and children are constantly increasing in India. Therefore, there is a need to increase awareness about support groups, strict punishments and speed up the process of taking action on complaints. Social sensitivity is also important. Gender-discriminatory or gender-discriminatory communication against any gender or children, especially through digital means, should be banned.
nutrition
One-third of the malnourished children worldwide are Indians. Experts recommend including more nutritious elements and adequate micronutrients in the diet
employment
The female labour force participation rate may be 37% now but this does not always translate into quality employment. They also need protection from exploitation at the workplace
Annapurna Devi, 55, BJP, Minister of Women and Child Development
> Early life
Devi comes from a Bengali-speaking family from Dumka in Jharkhand
> Political debut
She entered politics after the death of her husband Ramesh Yadav, a leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, in 1998. Earlier, she was a housewife. Before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, she left RJD and joined the BJP.
> Outstanding Achievement:
Devi is now one of the two women ministers in the Union Cabinet. Her previous experience in this field is as a cabinet minister in the Ministry of Irrigation, Women and Child Welfare in Jharkhand in 2012.
Savitri Thakur, 45 years, BJP Minister of State, Minister of Women and Child Development
> Great start:
He is a BJP MP from Dhar SC reserved seat of Madhya Pradesh. He started his political journey as a BJP district panchayat member in 2003