International Women’s Day 2025, observed on March 8th, celebrates the theme ‘For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ While we acknowledge the progress and achievements of women worldwide, it’s important not to overlook the unsung heroines who form the backbone of our agricultural sector — the rural women. These women, often working tirelessly in the fields, not only nourish their own families but also play a vital role in feeding the nation.
Their invaluable contribution to Indian farming not only sustains our communities but also empowers them to create a lasting impact on our society. Let’s take a moment to honor these rural women, whose strength and resilience shape the foundation of our agricultural landscape.
International Women's Day 2025: Theme
Women have always been the unsung heroes of Indian agriculture, contributing significantly to farming, livestock management and agribusiness. Their contribution to the Indian agricultural scenario has been massive yet unobserved. This year, as we celebrate International Women's Day 2025 on 8th March with the theme 'For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment' it is also essential to recognize the role of women in shaping the agricultural landscape of India and the need for their empowerment, recognition, and support.
Role of Women in Indian Agriculture
Women constitute nearly 75% of the full-time workforce in Indian agriculture, actively engaging in diverse activities such as sowing, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest processing. Even after playing a critical role in agrarian work, there’s often a difference in recognition, wages and credit when compared to male employees. Rural women are not just responsible for farming activities, yet they also equally emphasize on their household chores too. This differential access of women to various resources like credit, land, and markets must be addressed.
However, with the changing governmental policies, women these days are getting more recognized than before, hence motivating them to come out of their homes and become educated, secure, self-sufficient and independent. Let us look at some of the schemes and initiatives adopted by the Indian government for the upliftment of the rural women community.
Schemes and Initiatives by the Indian Government for Empowering Rural Women
Reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)
As per the 73rd amendment to the Constitution, 1/3rd seats in the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been reserved for women candidates. As per a July 2023 PIB report, there are more than 14.50 lakh Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) making it approximately 46% of the total elected representatives. The Government of India also provides training to these EWRs from time to time for their capacity building.
Official Website: https://panchayat.gov.in/
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) -Aajeevika
Aajeevika (DAY-NRLM) is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) with the objective of introducing rural poor women to Self Help Groups (SHGs) and providing them continuous support until they become self-sufficient and attain an appreciable increase in income over time. This effort helped rural women to improve their living standards and overcome poverty. As of 30 June 2024, DAY-NRLM mission has achieved its implementation in 7135 blocks in 742 districts across 28 States and 6 UTs. The mission also successfully mobilized 10.05 crore women into more than 90.86 Lakh SHGs.
Official Website: https://aajeevika.gov.in/
Lakhpati Didi Initiative
A Lakhpati Didi is a member of the Self-Help Group who has an annual household income of more than or equal to Rs. 1 Lakh. To ensure sustainable financial status, the income is calculated for a minimum of four agricultural seasons or a business cycle, with an average monthly income of more than Rs. 10,000. This initiative has not only inspired the women community monetarily but also sets an example through their transformation journey by adopting sustainable livelihood practices (farming or non-farming activities), effective management of resources and achieving a decent living standard.
The women under this initiative undergo a certain level of monitoring and support from the SHGs with the help of the government in terms of financial literacy, skill development and livelihood assistance. The initiative not only aims to empower the SHG members in financial inclusion but also to help them pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Official Website: https://lakhpatididi.gov.in/
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA)
The MGNREGA Act, 2005, launched in September 2005 gives a legal guarantee of hundred days wage employment in a financial year to adult members of the rural household who are willing to do unskilled labour work. The act now mandates that at least one-third of the jobs generated under this scheme should be given to women who have registered or requested work.
Official Website: https://nrega.nic.in/MGNREGA
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Programme
The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Programme was launched on 22 January 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Haryana. The program was launched with three objectives- To prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination, to ensure the protection and survival of girl child and to ensure education and empowerment of girl child.
The launch of this program marked a significant increase in the sex ratio in Haryana which crossed 900 right after its launch for the very first time. Now this initiative is taken all across India to empower and protect girl child rights.
Official Website: https://wcdhry.gov.in/schemes-for-women/beti-bachao-beti-padhao/
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
PMMVY was launched by the Government of India in the year 2017 under section 4 of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013. This scheme provides financial support to pregnant and lactating women who fall in the SC/ST category and are on the Below Poverty Line. The mission of this scheme is to improve the health and nutrition of mothers and children as well as compensate for their wage loss during the maternity period.
Official Website: https://wcd.delhi.gov.in/wcd/pradhan-mantri-matru-vandana-yojana-pmmvy
As we celebrate International Women's Day 2025, it's time to go beyond appreciation and take meaningful steps toward empowerment. Ensuring equal land rights, access to technology, and financial inclusion for rural women will create a more equitable and prosperous agricultural sector. Women in agriculture are not just contributors but also leaders and innovators. Investing in them is essential for India’s food security and economic future.
