Women's Legal Empowerment

A women's reservation bill was first introduced in 1996 and failed repeatedly across three decades. Instant triple talaq left Muslim women without recourse in marriage. Statutory maternity leave stood at 12 weeks, low by international standards. Women's labour-force participation was among the lowest of any large economy.

In September 2023, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam — the 106th Constitutional Amendment — reserved one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies for women. It was introduced on 19 September 2023, the first day of sittings in the new Parliament building, and passed in the same Special Session, clearing a bill that had been pending for 27 years.

Legal change came in layers. The Supreme Court struck down instant triple talaq in 2017; Parliament criminalised it in 2019, providing for a subsistence allowance and custody of minor children. The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 raised paid leave from 12 to 26 weeks. POCSO was strengthened in 2019 with the death penalty for aggravated child sexual assault and firm investigation timelines.

Economic empowerment ran in parallel. Women hold about 56% of Jan Dhan accounts and around two-thirds of Mudra loans. Lakhpati Didi passed its goal of 3 crore women earning over ₹1 lakh a year through self-help groups, reaching 3.46 crore by July 2026 (the target is now 6 crore), and the Drone Didi scheme trains women's SHGs to operate agricultural drones as a service business. India's G20 presidency embedded 'women-led development' in the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration.

33% of Lok Sabha and assembly seats reserved for women (2023). 12 → 26 weeks paid maternity leave. Triple talaq struck down 2017, criminalised 2019. ~56% of Jan Dhan accounts and ~2/3 of Mudra loans held by women. 3.46 crore Lakhpati Didis (July 2026); target 6 crore. Sources: Ministry of Law & Justice, MWCD, PIB.