Solan: BJP State Vice President Rashmi Dhar Sood on Tuesday said that the Nari Shakti Vandan Act will play a transformative role in strengthening women’s dignity, health, and empowerment across India. She credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing visionary leadership that has prioritized women-centric development over the past decade.
Sood said the Act, introduced after extensive deliberations, marks a historic step towards empowering women and ensuring their stronger participation in decision-making processes. “It has given a powerful voice to women and will further institutionalize their role in governance,” she added.
Highlighting key achievements, she said that several flagship schemes of the central government have significantly improved maternal health, nutrition, and overall living standards of women. “Support has been ensured at every stage of a woman’s life cycle—from birth to motherhood and beyond,” she noted.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, more than 4.27 crore pregnant and lactating women have received direct financial assistance worth ₹20,101 crore since 2017, strengthening maternal and child health outcomes.
She further stated that the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan has benefited over 7.26 crore women by providing free antenatal check-ups at more than 22,000 health centres across the country, ensuring safer pregnancies.
Referring to immunization efforts, Sood said initiatives like Mission Indradhanush and the Universal Immunization Programme have led to a sharp decline in child mortality rates—from 48 per thousand in 2015 to 28 in 2023. Maternal mortality has also dropped significantly, from 130 in 2014 to 88 per lakh live births in 2023.
She added that under Poshan 2.0, nearly 9 crore beneficiaries, including pregnant women and children, are receiving nutritious food through 14 lakh Anganwadi centres nationwide, helping combat malnutrition.
Sood also highlighted the impact of infrastructure and welfare schemes. Under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, over 10.5 crore LPG connections have been distributed, reducing health risks caused by smoke exposure. Similarly, more than 12 crore toilets have been constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission, enhancing women’s dignity and safety.
She said the Jal Jeevan Mission has provided tap water connections to over 15.8 crore households, reducing the daily burden on women and improving their quality of life.
“These initiatives have not only improved women’s health and living standards but also boosted their confidence and participation in society,” Sood said.
Concluding, she emphasized that the effective implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act will significantly enhance women’s political participation, leading to better policy decisions on health, nutrition, and social development, thereby ensuring holistic national progress.
