Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu emphasized the importance of women’s involvement in policymaking, noting that developed nations often have 40-50% female representation in governance. Speaking at an event celebrating women’s strength and leadership, Khandu highlighted that India currently has around 13.6% women in the Lok Sabha and about 9% in state Assemblies.
In Arunachal Pradesh, only four out of 60 Assembly members are women legislators, indicating the critical need to increase women’s participation in politics. Khandu praised the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ as a significant reform aimed at reshaping India’s political landscape, providing for 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the legislation, passed in 2023 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, is set to be operationalized by the 2029 elections. Encouraging women to strive for more than the 33% quota, Khandu urged active engagement in leadership roles and decision-making processes, emphasizing the importance of women’s empowerment in achieving broader socio-economic progress.
Highlighting various initiatives for women’s empowerment in Arunachal Pradesh, Khandu cited schemes like the Dulari Kanya Scheme, HPV Vaccination Campaign, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, and PM Poshan Scheme. He also commended the success of the Self-Help Group movement in the state and outlined plans to bolster women-led enterprises through cooperative movements and MSME initiatives.
