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Women's issues are no longer a side agenda: Smriti Irani on evolving role of women in Indian politics
Irani also praised PM Modi’s efforts in promoting "women-led development," noting how his leadership has brought women’s issues to the forefront of governance.
Smriti Irani at an interview with ORF America / Image- Screengrab from the interview
Former Indian Parliamentarian, Smriti Irani, emphasized the central role of women in shaping Indian politics and the economy at an event hosted by the Observer Research Foundation America.
During the interaction, Irani reflected on the significant shift in Indian politics regarding women’s issues. "I came into politics at a time where women’s issues were not pivotal for political success. Now, if you ignore women’s issues, you are not electable," she said, underscoring how the concerns of women have become essential to electoral success.
Discussing her own political journey, the actress-turned-politician shared the challenges she faced as a woman entering a male-dominated space, adding that her entry into politics was marked by a determination to tackle issues beyond those traditionally assigned to women leaders.
Irani also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in promoting "women-led development," noting how his leadership has brought women’s issues to the forefront of governance. "When Prime Minister Modi made women-led development central to his governance, he sent a strong message that women’s issues are not just the responsibility of women but a key concern for everyone in politics," she said.
A major milestone for women in Indian politics, according to Irani, is the recent passage of the 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, a landmark law aimed at enhancing female political representation. "The implementation of the 33 percent reservation will be a fascinating time for Indian politics. It gives women across the country an opportunity to rise from the grassroots and aim for leadership at the highest levels," she noted.
Responding to the notion that women elected at the grassroots level do not have the same opportunities at state or national levels, the BJP leader strongly rejected this view. "1.5 million women are elected to office at the grassroots level. These women are not only elected because of affirmative action but are often competing and winning against men head-to-head," she said.
She emphasized that political leadership is about trust and delivering solutions for constituents, regardless of whether a woman is contesting at the panchayat, state, or parliamentary level.
"The dynamics of gender issues have shifted significantly. Women are no longer sidelined but are pivotal in shaping the political future of India," she said, asserting that the future of the country’s political leadership will be significantly shaped by women.
Economic empowerment and financial inclusion
Alongside her focus on women in politics, Irani, who previously held the position of Indian Minister for Women and Child Development, emphasized the significance of women's economic empowerment and financial inclusion for the nation's development.
Irani highlighted government initiatives that have greatly aided women, especially those from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, mentioning the Mudra scheme, which offers collateral-free loans and has engaged 300 million women actively. "This contradicts assumptions about rural women's financial engagement capabilities," she pointed out.
The former minister also spoke about the success of the Stand Up India scheme, where 80 percent of the 40,000 crore rupees disbursed went to women-owned businesses. She emphasized the critical role that women play in India’s economic landscape, particularly in entrepreneurship and business leadership.
Addressing the role of technology, Irani praised the impact of the digital revolution on women’s financial inclusion. She pointed to the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and digital literacy programs, which have allowed women to embrace digital financial transactions. "Women have demonstrated their ability to leverage technology for economic empowerment," she noted.
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