The First National Conference of Parliamentary & Legislative Committees on Women Empowerment concluded in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh with the adoption of the Tirupati Resolution. Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla underscored that women’s empowerment must not be seen merely as welfare, but as the foundation of national development and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The Resolution calls for institutionalising Gender Budget Cells in every ministry and state department, expanding allocations for women’s healthcare, education, skills, entrepreneurship, and credit access, and monitoring outcomes through gender-disaggregated data. It also emphasises closing the digital divide by expanding digital literacy, cyber safety, and participation of women in STEM fields, alongside addressing gaps in rural and underprivileged communities. The Speaker invoked reformist leaders such as Savitribai Phule to stress inclusive social progress.
Institutionalising gender budgeting and ensuring gender-disaggregated tracking can transform policymaking from symbolic welfare to strategic inclusion. It holds ministries and states accountable for integrating women’s needs into all sectors, health, education, digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship and helps address structural inequalities.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
What mechanisms can Parliament and state legislatures create to ensure gender-responsive budgeting translates into enforceable commitments and measurable policy outcomes across sectors?
Follow the full news here:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2166775
