Financial Access Empowering Women Across India, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman on International Women’s Day
Women Gaining Independence Through Financial Inclusion
New Delhi, March 8: As India marks International Women’s Day on Sunday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that expanding financial access is playing a crucial role in strengthening women’s independence and economic participation across the country.In a message shared on the social media platform X, the Finance Minister highlighted the impact of financial inclusion initiatives such as Jan Dhan accounts and the rise of “Lakhpati Didis”, noting that these efforts are enabling women to take greater control of their financial futures.
Sitharaman stated that access to banking services is helping women become financially independent while strengthening households and communities across India.
Over 28 Crore Jan Dhan Accounts Held by Women
The Finance Minister noted that women now hold more than 28 crore Jan Dhan accounts, reflecting the expansion of financial services to households nationwide.She said that financial inclusion initiatives are allowing women to participate more actively in the economy and manage their financial resources independently.
According to Sitharaman, when women gain financial access, they also gain greater independence, which contributes to stronger economic stability within families and communities.
Rise of Over 3 Crore “Lakhpati Didis” in Rural India
Sitharaman also highlighted the growing number of women entrepreneurs in rural India, pointing out that more than three crore women have become “Lakhpati Didis”.The term refers to rural women who have achieved annual incomes exceeding ₹1 lakh through self-help groups and various entrepreneurial activities.
She noted that these women are not only participating in the economy but are also emerging as wealth creators, transforming livelihoods and supporting family incomes across rural regions.
Piyush Goyal Highlights Role of “Nari Shakti” in Nation Building
Union Minister Piyush Goyal also acknowledged the contributions of women to India’s development in a message shared on X.He stated that “Nari Shakti” plays a central role in building a new India and emphasized that empowering women remains vital for the country’s long-term growth.
Goyal said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are being made to expand opportunities for women across sectors.
Women Driving Transformation Across Multiple Sectors
According to Goyal, women are contributing to India’s transformation across several fields including entrepreneurship, sports, defence, science, and rural development.As the country commemorates International Women’s Day, he called for continued efforts to support the aspirations and strength of women and to further enhance their role in shaping a stronger and more prosperous India.
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