On March 6, 2020 the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) & the World Bank organized a discussion programme on the topic “The Future of Work: Women in India’s Workforce” at New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Minister of WCD, Smriti Zubin Irani & Dr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director India, World Bank. It is a part of a series of events to observe International Women’s Day 2020.
Major Highlights
- The WCD minister announced a diet plan for women & lactating mothers for the 1st time, formulated by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) . It is shared with all Anganwadi centres across the country.
- To ensure counselling and improve the quality of counsellors in schools across all districts in the country WCD Ministry is working with National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS)
Discussions made
- About various government interventions for women entrepreneurs, their skilling & training & the hurdles faced by them when they wish-to setup their own business,to avail bank loan & to join the workforce.
- The central role of women in India’s growth story, investing in women & stories of women entrepreneurs 3 discussion sessions were held.
Problems faced by women & efforts made by Government of India(GOI)
- In India there is only 23% of women labour force due to child care, domestic work and lack of female friendly environment in the workforce.Before the age of 20,1 in 5 girls are married & school dropout rates are high.
- These problems cannot be quickly fixed as they have their origin in the long past. GOI through various policies & schemes like National Rural Livelihood Mission, MUDRA, skill development, Stand up India and POSHAN is trying to enhance, empower & employ women in the labour force.
Prime persons attended
Secretary of Food Processing Industry-Pushpa Subrahmanyam,Secretary of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship-Praveen Kumar,Additional Secretary in the department of Financial Services-Sanjeev Kaushik & Special Secretary of WCD-Ajay Tirkey were present along with women entrepreneurship & other stakeholders.
About World Bank:
Headquarters– Washington, D.C., United States
President– David R. Malpass
About ICMR:
Director General– Prof. Balram Bhargava
Headquarters– New delhi, India
