Union Budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to unveil the Union Budget for 2025-26 this February. With women-centric schemes taking center stage in previous years, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue in light of women’s significant participation in shaping India’s general elections' outcome in 2024.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections witnessed a sharp increase in women’s voter turnout, with 18 million more women voting compared to 2019, according to a report by the State Bank of India (SBI).

The report highlights the impact of women-centric initiatives such as income transfer schemes, literacy programs, Mudra Yojana loans, sanitation efforts, and house ownership under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

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Key statistics from the report:

• Literacy contributed to a rise of 4.5 million female voters.
• Employment schemes, including Mudra Yojana, accounted for an increase of 3.6 million voters.
• House Ownership under PMAY added 2 million voters.
• Sanitation initiatives brought in an additional 2.1 million women voters.

States with extensive implementation of these schemes saw a cumulative voter turnout increase of 1.5 crore women, compared to just 30 lakh in states without such programs, as per the SBI report.

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Women’s representation in governance

While the percentage of women elected to the Lok Sabha rose from 5% in the first Lok Sabha to 14% today, the number remains marginally lower than in 2019. States like Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and West Bengal have recorded higher-than-average representation of women in Parliament.

Notably, data also suggests a correlation between rising Women PMJDY (Jan Dhan Yojana) accounts, Mudra loan beneficiaries, and electoral participation.

Women-centric allocations in Budget 2024

The Union Budget 2024-25 allocated over Rs 3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women and girls, reaffirming the government’s commitment to women-led development. The Ministry of Women and Child Development saw its budget increase by 3%, reaching Rs 26,092 crore. This was a historic allocation in over a decade.

Key highlights of the 2024 budget included:

• Working Women Hostels: Safe accommodations were planned in partnership with industries.
• Creches for Working Mothers: Designed to encourage workforce participation among women.
• Skill Development: Industry-specific skilling programs were introduced to boost women’s employability and entrepreneurship.

Flagship initiatives like Mission Shakti (Sambal and Samarthya) received significant funding boosts. Sambal, focusing on women’s safety and security, saw its allocation rise to Rs 629 crore. Meanwhile, Samarthya, aimed at empowerment through education and skill development, received Rs 2,517 crore, up from Rs 1,864 crore the previous year.

As the 2025-26 Union Budget approaches, all eyes are on whether the government will continue its emphasis on women’s empowerment. Given women’s decisive role in the 2024 elections, initiatives that bolster literacy, employment, and safety could further drive their participation in India’s socio-economic growth story.