Addressing the forum virtually, Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi said women are not merely beneficiaries of development but the most powerful drivers of India’s vision of becoming a fully developed nation by 2047. She emphasized that empowering women remains central to the country's economic and social transformation.
Highlighting the growing role of women in economic development, the Minister said nearly 100 million women are organised into more than nine million Self-Help Groups across the country. She added that over 30 million women have achieved the status of high-income self-reliant entrepreneurs through government-supported initiatives, reflecting the expanding impact of women-led economic participation.
Annapurna Devi further stated that flagship programmes, including Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0, are strengthening women's safety, care, nutrition, and economic participation. She said these initiatives are creating greater opportunities for women while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
Reaffirming India's commitment to regional cooperation, the Minister said the country is ready to share its experiences and best practices with Shanghai Cooperation Organization partner countries. She stressed that deeper collaboration would help advance women's economic leadership, empowerment, and well-being across the region.
India's participation at the SCO Women’s Forum 2026 underscores its continued focus on strengthening women's role in national development while expanding international cooperation to promote gender equality, economic empowerment, and inclusive growth across member nations.
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