Uttarakhand is poised to become the first state in India to implement a comprehensive policy for women’s holistic development, with as many as 57 departments working in coordinated synergy. The state government has finalized a draft of the State Women’s Policy, which aims to ensure that women’s welfare is no longer the sole responsibility of a single department or commission.
The core objective of the new policy is to accelerate women’s welfare initiatives by fostering inter-departmental coordination and ensuring the effective utilisation of the state’s 16.6% gender budget. To achieve this, every department will set up a Gender Budget Cell, many of which have already begun operating.
The policy seeks to channel gender-specific funds into key sectors such as higher education, healthcare, employment, safety, and social justice. The Women Empowerment Department has already drafted the policy, and further implementation processes will follow soon.
National presentation highlights Uttarakhand model
During a recent consultation program held in New Delhi, Uttarakhand was one of five states selected to present their model on women’s welfare. The state showcased its roadmap for comprehensive women’s empowerment based on the new policy.
The team from the Women Empowerment Department highlighted that the policy prioritises uplifting women from rural and remote mountain areas by improving access to education, healthcare, and equal employment opportunities. Ensuring safety, social justice, and access to legal support for women will also be key pillars of the new framework.
Women Empowerment and Child Welfare Minister Rekha Arya said, “The new State Women’s Policy will ensure optimal and effective utilisation of the gender budget. It will establish coordination across departments and bring about a transformative shift in women’s empowerment.”
