PIB Summaries 08 March 2025

Content:

1. International Women’s Day 2025
2. Nourishing the Nation

International Women’s Day 2025

Historical Legacy of Women in India

• Trailblazers of the Freedom Struggle: Women like Rani Lakshmibai, Sarojini Naidu, and Captain Lakshmi Sahgal not only fought for independence but also ensured future generations of women had the right to dream.
• Universal Adult Franchise: India granted voting rights to women from the very beginning (1950), unlike many established democracies that delayed suffrage for women.
• Women in Constitution-Making: 15 women in the Constituent Assembly played a pivotal role in shaping women’s rights in the Indian Constitution.

Relevance : GS 1(Society) ,GS 2(Social Justice)

Women in Leadership and Governance

• Female Head of State: India has had women in top constitutional positions, including President, Prime Minister, Governors, and Chief Ministers.
• Political Representation:
  • Article 243D mandates reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • 50% reservation for women in Panchayats across 21 states and 2 Union Territories has empowered rural women.
  • The Women’s Reservation Bill (2023) aims to reserve 33% seats in Parliament and state assemblies.

Women’s Role in Science & Technology

• Key Women Scientists at ISRO:
  • Women played a crucial role in Chandrayaan-3, Mangalyaan, and Gaganyaan.
  • Dr Tessy Thomas, known as the Missile Woman of India, leads crucial DRDO projects.

• NaMo Drone Didi Initiative:
  • Trains women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in drone technology for agriculture.
  • Enhances women’s role in precision farming and rural technology.

Economic & Financial Empowerment

• Jan Dhan Yojana:
  • Over 55% of accounts under this scheme belong to women, ensuring financial independence.

• Self-Help Groups (SHGs):
  • 10 crore+ women have been mobilized into SHGs, boosting entrepreneurship and rural economy.

• Stand-Up India & Start-Up India:
  • 75,935 startups (as of Dec 31, 2024) have at least one woman director.
  • Encouraging women-led innovation and business ownership.

Women in Higher Education & Workforce

• Rising Enrollment in Higher Education:
  • Women’s participation has increased by 32%, from 1.57 crore (2014-15) to 2.07 crore (2021-22).

• Women in Diverse Fields:
  • Women are excelling in Medical Sciences, Social Sciences, Arts, and STEM.
  • Increasing presence in urban planning, engineering, and infrastructure development.

Social Welfare & Grassroots Impact

• Mid-Day Meal Scheme:
  • Thousands of women are employed to ensure nutritious meals for children.

• Sanitation & Water Conservation:
  • Women-led Panchayats play a key role in rural sanitation and water resource management.

• Justice & Legal Empowerment:
  • Justice (Retd) S. Vimala was the first woman judge of Chennai Mahila Court.

Breaking Barriers in Sports & Adventure

• Global Sporting Achievements:
  • PV Sindhu, Mary Kom, Vinesh Phogat, Mithali Raj—women dominating international sports.

• Adventurers & Pioneers:
  • Anita Kundu—first Indian woman to scale Mount Everest from both Indian & Chinese sides.
  • Ishrat Akhter—first international wheelchair basketball player from Kashmir.

The Future of Women’s Empowerment

• Women are no longer exceptions; they are the norm.
• From governance to space, finance to rural development, sports to technology—women are shaping India’s future.
• International Women’s Day 2025 is not just a celebration—it is a reminder that the journey continues.

Nourishing the Nation

Introduction

• Launched: 8th March 2018, by PM Narendra Modi in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.
• Focus: Improving the nutritional status of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, and children (0-6 years).
• Key Approach:
  • Technology-driven solutions
  • Cross-sectoral convergence
  • Community involvement (Jan Andolan)
  • Targeted reduction of malnutrition indicators

Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues,Schemes)

Objectives of Poshan Abhiyaan

1. Reduce stunting (low height-for-age) in children (0-6 years).
2. Lower under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) in children (0-6 years).
3. Reduce anaemia in:
   1. Children (6-59 months).
   1. Women and adolescent girls (15-49 years).
4. Reduce low birth weight (LBW) among newborns.

Strategic Pillars of Poshan Abhiyaan

1. Access to Quality Services
   1. Implemented through ICDS, NHM, PMMVY.
   1. Focus on the first 1,000 days (conception to 2 years) for early interventions.

• Cross-Sectoral Convergence
  • Coordination among multiple ministries (health, sanitation, water supply).
  • Integration with Swachh Bharat Mission & National Drinking Water Mission.

• Leveraging Technology
  • Poshan Tracker App: Real-time data collection, monitoring, and analysis.
  • ICDS-CAS (Common Application Software): Digitization of Anganwadi services.

• Jan Andolan (Community Mobilization)
  • Mass awareness campaigns on nutrition and wellness.
  • Encouraging behavioural change for a malnutrition-free India.

Key Focus Areas & Priorities

1. The First 1,000 Days – A Critical Window of Opportunity

• Ensuring optimal nutrition and healthcare for pregnant women and newborns.
• Prevention of stunting, wasting, and anaemia at an early stage.

2. Ensuring Access to Essential Services

• Expansion of evidence-based interventions under ICDS, PMMVY, NHM.
• Strengthening Anganwadi services to improve child nutrition.

3. Jan Andolan for Behavioural Change

• Mobilization of community, civil society, and stakeholders for awareness.
• Encouraging breastfeeding, dietary diversity, and hygiene practices.

4. Multi-Sectoral Convergence

• National Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges under NITI Aayog.
• Quarterly reviews for policy coordination and effective implementation.

5. Technology-Driven Service Delivery

• ICDS-CAS Mobile App:
  • Anganwadi workers record real-time child growth data.
  • Dashboard available at state and ministry levels for monitoring.

Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0

• Integrated initiative for improving health, nutrition, and immunity.
• Scale:
  • 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across 36 States/UTs.
  • 13.3 lakh Anganwadi workers supporting 10 crore beneficiaries.

• Infrastructure Enhancements:
  • 6.77 lakh AWCs with permanent buildings.
  • 10.07 lakh AWCs with functional toilets.
  • 12.43 lakh AWCs with drinking water access.

Challenges & Way Forward

Challenges

• High Prevalence of Malnutrition: India still faces 35.5% stunting and 19.3% wasting (NFHS-5).
• Anaemia Concern: 57% of women (15-49 years) and 67% of children (6-59 months) remain anaemic.
• Service Delivery Gaps: Uneven implementation and data discrepancies in rural areas.

Way Forward

• Strengthen last-mile delivery through better Anganwadi monitoring.
• Expand dietary diversity by promoting millets and fortified foods.
• Improve anaemia control measures via Iron & Folic Acid supplementation.
• Leverage AI & Big Data for precise nutritional interventions.
• Enhance community-led participation to sustain long-term behavioural change.