International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8 March 2022 every year to honor both the contributions and achievements of women in various social, cultural, and political fields. India also commemorates this day in unique ways.
Besides the public, the government too marks the day especially by launching many women-specific welfare schemes and by organizing various seminars and cultural programs throughout the country. Here are a few notable ones.
Presidential Greetings
Offering his greetings on the eve of International women’s Day, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind offered his greetings and highlighted the positive impacts made by Indian women in personal, social, and national lives.
“Today when the world is continuously changing, Indian women are making a significant impact in their personal & social lives as well in the national arena”.
Talking about their self-reliance, the President said “it is important to empower our daughters to make them self-reliant. It would enable them to achieve their aspirations even while fulfilling their responsibilities vis-à-vis their family, society, and nation”.
“This day is also an occasion to reiterate our resolve to ensure the safety, dignity, and prosperity of women. We must give our sisters and daughters opportunities to realize their potential and hence contribute to nation-building”, he added.
Special Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive for Women
On this year’s women’s day, the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) launched a Special Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive for Women.
Called SAMARTH, the initiative seeks to provide women an opportunity to be self-reliant and independent by undertaking self-employment opportunities.
Prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskars at Rashtrapati Bhavan
President Ram Nath Kovind will confer Nari Shakti Puruskar to various individuals at a special ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
During the award ceremony, the Prime Minister will also have an interactive session with the Awardees to applaud their efforts and to inspire the masses to work for and excel in areas relating to women’s empowerment.
Prime Minister’s Address
On International Women’s Day this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address over 500 women saints at the women saint’s camp at Dhordo, Kutch through video-conferencing.
In a seminar, the PM will speak on the role of women saints in society and their contribution towards women empowerment. Over 500 women saints will attend the Seminar in Dhordo.
The seminar will include sessions on culture, religion, female upliftment, security, social status, and the role of women in Indian culture.
The welfare schemes of central and state Governments benefiting women along with achievements of women will also be discussed.
The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Rural Women
Ministry of Rural Development has scheduled an event at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi to appreciate and acknowledge the grit and determination of women in empowering themselves through livelihoods.
During the event, ‘Lakhpati women SHG members’ who have done exceptionally well in carving out profitable livelihood portfolios for themselves through DAY-NRLM interventions will share their experiences.
There will also be experience sharing by Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) members on the management of Gender Justice Centres. These women are managing the Gender Justice Centres with an aim to bring gender equity and eliminate gender discrimination.
Further, the DAY-NRLM National Awards for the best performing Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), and Public Sector Banks under DAY NRLM and best-performing Project Implementation Agency under DDU GKY will also be conferred during this event.
National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is the flagship program of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India for poverty alleviation in rural India.
The program aims to bring one woman from every rural poor household under the fold of a self-help group network and ensure their financial inclusion and sustained livelihood support for coming out of abject poverty.
To date, 8 crores of rural women across India have been brought under 74.43 Lakhs Self Help Groups (SHGs).