The Union Budget 2024-25 presented on July 23 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stressed the need for empowering mahila (women) alongside other sections like gareeb (poor), yuva (youth), and annadata (farmers)

There are several policies and programs implemented by the Narendra Modi government demonstrating women-centricity with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mission Shakthi, and Saksham Anganwadi. The Union Budget 2024-25 turned the spotlight on urban women. These include working women’s hostels, creches, and skilling programs for women. News reports quoted the budget speech by the Finance Minister: “The government is allocating over ₹3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women, and girls,” she said, adding that the government would set up women-specific skilling programs to boost women’s participation in the workforce.

“We will facilitate higher participation of women in the workforce by setting up working women hostels in collaboration with industries and establishing creches. The partnership will seek to organize women-specific skilling programs and promote market access for women SHG enterprises,” the Finance Minister added in her speech.