West Bengal minister Agnimitra Paul announced the BJP government's commitment to women's empowerment and the continuation of welfare schemes. The 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme will be accessible through an online portal, ensuring ease of application for all women in Bengal. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed officials to implement the scheme and free bus travel for women, while also assuring that existing social welfare schemes will continue.
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives for women's empowerment, citing the Swachh Bharat Mission and PM Awas Yojana. He also criticised the Trinamool Congress government's handling of food distribution and women's security in the state.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav announced the 'Stree Samman-Samriddhi Yojana' to empower women, emphasising their importance within the PDA social coalition and promising equal opportunities and economic security.
The Fit India Movement launched a three-day International Women's Day Carnival at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, celebrating women's strength and leadership through fitness activities and sport.
Goa has successfully completed its first pilot drone-skilling workshop for 12 women and plans to train 100 women annually under the Goa Drone Didi Training Scheme. This initiative aims to promote drone technology, rural livelihoods, and women-led entrepreneurship, aligning with the Centre's Namo Drone Didi programme.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has released its manifesto for the West Bengal Assembly polls, outlining 10 key pledges focused on expanding welfare schemes, improving healthcare access, and developing infrastructure.
FICCI FLO and UP BJP MLA Rajeshwar Singh are collaborating to train 100 women as 'drone pilots' in Lucknow. This initiative aims to provide employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the burgeoning drone economy. The announcement was made at an event where MLA Singh also highlighted his efforts in public grievance redressal and establishing women's empowerment centres in his constituency.
Lack of women in Karnataka's new council of ministers has put the spotlight once again on women's under-representation in politics and policy.
'The prohibition regime has been accompanied by concerns regarding the expansion of the illicit liquor trade, increased enforcement challenges and corruption, and the growing use of alternative intoxicants, including illicit drugs.'
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan's Facebook post criticising Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar's alleged anti-women remarks has disappeared, with the CMO citing a technical error. The incident has sparked political criticism from CPI(M) and BJP, who question the explanation and accuse the Congress of hypocrisy.
Smriti Singh was alarmed to learn that several girls and women in her village were using ash, wheat stubble and tattered rags during menstruation because they could not afford or access sanitary pads.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new target of creating six crore 'Lakhpati Didis' to empower women and transform the rural economy. He highlighted the success of the existing initiative and the growing contribution of women in various sectors, from defence to technology.
The Obama administration's point man for South Asia, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake has said that India is a role model for women's empowerment on the world stage.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet has approved the draft Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill, which will be introduced in the state assembly's monsoon session. The proposed legislation, excluding the tribal community, addresses marriage, live-in relationships, adoption, and inheritance, aiming for women's empowerment and social harmony. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted broad support and criticised the Congress for its stance.
Bengaluru FC players walked out onto the pitch with inspiring women in their lives, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant players walked out with female para-athletes, highlighting women's empowerment before their Indian Super League match.
Seventeen-year-old Naavya Shah's idea was simple -- source fresh flour from a women-run mill, sell it directly to customers and, wherever possible, put women in charge of the parts of the business they had traditionally been excluded from.
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's "smash the patriarchy" remark and his defence of actor Kriti Sanon's outfit in a Raksha Bandhan advertisement, sparking a wider debate on women's choices and cultural attire.
BJD leader Naveen Patnaik has criticised the BJP government in Odisha for its alleged failure to address the rising number of crimes against women, speaking on International Women's Day.
Jharkhand has partnered with CSC eStore to create a digital marketplace for products made by women's self-help groups (SHGs). This initiative aims to expand market access, boost income for rural women, and strengthen the rural economy through e-commerce and digital governance. The state also plans to extend Aadhaar services to all panchayats by November 15.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal criticised the BJP's stance on women's reservation, challenging them to reject ideological texts like the Manusmriti. He accused the BJP of using the issue for political gains and misrepresenting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's remarks.
BJD leader Naveen Patnaik has criticised the BJP government in Odisha for its alleged failure to protect women, while the Deputy Chief Minister defends the government's record and accuses Patnaik's previous administration of similar shortcomings.
'I wonder how much of the guilt do I bear for having started off the cycle in the first place by giving her a job,' says Keya Sarkar.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, seeking his intervention after she was allegedly forced to vacate a circuit house in Nadia district, claiming harassment and threatening legal action. She reported a crowd shouting 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans outside the premises after her refusal to leave.
Noting that Goddess Durga was worshipped as a symbol of 'Shakti' (strength), Modi said his government was consistently working for the empowerment of women.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale stated that opposing reservation is unconstitutional and that the policy would be given up if casteism is eliminated. He highlighted the historical context of reservations for SC/ST and OBCs, and the Modi government's EWS quota. Athawale also criticised the opposition, praised government achievements, and discussed various welfare schemes and infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh.
Irani said the "Government of India took a series of measures for ensuring safety, security and well-being of women during the COVID-19 pandemic."
A research paper by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) recommends that Bihar revoke its alcohol ban, citing its failure to reduce violence against women and a rise in illicit drug and alcohol consumption. The report suggests that reinstating the liquor excise tax would significantly increase state revenues and decrease enforcement costs.
Bengaluru-based social media sensation Rida Tharana is set to make her television debut on Season 2 of The Traitors.
15 states have rolled out unconditional cash transfer schemes for women, with an estimated annual outlay of around Rs 1.7 trillion covering nearly 120 million beneficiaries.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini commemorated B.R. Ambedkar's birth anniversary, highlighting his contributions to women's empowerment and social justice. Saini and Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal criticised the Congress party for allegedly disrespecting Ambedkar, while praising the current government's efforts to honour his legacy.
UN Women has issued a stark warning that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is placing women at a higher risk of discrimination and digital violence, citing studies that reveal significant gender bias in AI systems and large language models.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has issued a comprehensive advisory to all states and Union Territories, recommending mandatory annual POSH audits and other measures to strengthen the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The advisory aims to ensure safe, inclusive, and gender-sensitive working environments for women across all sectors, emphasising institutional accountability, proper committee constitution, and robust awareness programmes.
Rashtra Sevika Samiti emphasizes the importance of guiding International Women's Day with Indian cultural values, focusing on social awareness, mindset change, and women's empowerment through unity and family values.
The Delhi Police will launch a campaign on women's safety and empowerment from June, with units of all 15 police districts organising awareness and outreach programmes to strengthen public participation and encourage prompt reporting of crimes.
Thudakkam gives Vismaya Mohanlal a physically demanding debut where her fighting skills land the punches, even if her acting doesn't.
The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by India, to designate November 27 as the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early and Forced Marriage. This global initiative aims to raise awareness and accelerate efforts to combat this harmful practice, which disproportionately affects women and girls, hindering their education, health, and overall human rights.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced new post-pregnancy return-to-play guidelines for women cricketers, aiming to ensure their safe and sustainable comeback to the sport. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has lauded these guidelines as a significant step towards empowering female athletes globally.
The BJP and opposition parties are engaged in a political battle over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Act, with the BJP defending it as historic and the opposition accusing the government of delaying its notification and using it to push an unconstitutional delimitation exercise.
Nagaland Minister C L John has called for stronger collective efforts to address gender-based violence and unequal opportunities, highlighting the need for women's empowerment at the International Women's Day celebration in Kohima.
