Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget for 2025-26 this February, with expectations high for a continued emphasis on women-centric initiatives. The trend, observed in previous budgets, aligns with the significant role women played in shaping the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
A recent State Bank of India (SBI) report revealed that women’s voter turnout increased sharply in 2024, with 18 million more women voting compared to 2019. The report attributed this surge to the impact of government schemes such as income transfers, literacy programmes, Mudra Yojana loans, sanitation efforts, and house ownership under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Key factors driving women’s voter turnout
According to the SBI report, various initiatives have significantly influenced female electoral participation:
- Literacy programmes contributed to an additional 4.5 million female voters.
- Employment schemes, including Mudra Yojana loans, added 3.6 million voters.
- PMAY house ownership schemes encouraged 2 million more women to vote.
- Sanitation drives increased female voter turnout by 2.1 million.
States with widespread implementation of these programmes recorded a rise of 1.5 crore women voters, compared to just 30 lakh in states with limited adoption, the report noted.
Women’s representation in Parliament
Although women’s representation in the Lok Sabha has grown from 5% in the first Lok Sabha to 14% today, the figure remains slightly lower than in 2019. States such as Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and West Bengal have surpassed the national average in electing female parliamentarians.
Rising participation in schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and Mudra loans is also linked to increased female voter engagement, the data suggests.
Women-centric allocations in Budget 2024
Last year’s Union Budget allocated over ₹3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women and girls, marking a decade-high investment. The Ministry of Women and Child Development received ₹26,092 crore, a 3% increase over the previous year.
Highlights of the 2024 Budget included:
- Working Women Hostels: Safe accommodation in collaboration with industries.
- Creches for Working Mothers: Facilities to boost women’s workforce participation.
- Skill Development: Industry-specific training to enhance employability and entrepreneurship.
Flagship schemes like Mission Shakti saw significant funding increases. The Sambal component, focusing on safety and security, received ₹629 crore, while Samarthya, aimed at empowerment through education and skills, was allocated ₹2,517 crore, up from ₹1,864 crore in 2023.
As the government prepares to unveil the 2025-26 Budget, analysts anticipate further emphasis on women’s empowerment. Given the decisive role of women in the 2024 elections, investments in literacy, employment, and safety initiatives could enhance their participation in India’s socio-economic progress.
With women-centric schemes emerging as a cornerstone of electoral success, the upcoming Budget may set the stage for a continued focus on development led by women.
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