New Delhi, March 8: The Ministry of Women and Child Development organized a “Shakti Walk” on Sunday, marking International Women’s Day 2026 along Kartavya Path in New Delhi. This event celebrated the spirit of women’s empowerment and highlighted their crucial role in building a progressive and inclusive India.
The event was led by Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, alongside Minister of State Savitri Thakur. Notable attendees included Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel.
Also present were Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), and Anil Malik, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, along with women officials, employees, and field workers from various sectors.
International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on March 8, honors women’s achievements and leadership across all fields. It reaffirms a collective commitment to gender equality, safety, dignity, and empowerment.
The event commenced with a rendition of the national anthem, “Vande Mataram,” at India Gate, setting a patriotic tone for the occasion. Dignitaries, participants, and attendees gathered as Minister Annapurna Devi formally flagged off the Shakti Walk. This march symbolized strength, unity, and a collective commitment to women’s empowerment. Participants enthusiastically joined the walk, reflecting the initiative’s spirit and purpose.
The walk spanned approximately 2 kilometers from India Gate to Vijay Chowk along Kartavya Path. Along the route, exhibitions showcased significant government schemes and initiatives for women, as well as notable achievements by women in various fields. The event also featured vibrant cultural performances representing India’s rich cultural diversity and women’s strength, including Karnataka’s Dollu Kunitha, Kerala’s Kalaripayattu and Shringara Melam, Assam’s Ranchandi, and Rajasthan’s Ghoomar, each reflecting their unique cultural heritage.
Over 3,000 women from approximately 200 ministries, departments, and organizations participated. Attendees included representatives from the armed forces, police, healthcare, media, sports, education, sanitation, aviation, industry, and government institutions, as well as ANM service providers, women drivers from India Taxi Sarthi, teachers, locomotive drivers, My Bharat volunteers, field workers, and women entrepreneurs.
Their participation transformed Kartavya Path into a vibrant celebration of women’s power, showcasing a collective spirit of women moving towards the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Annapurna Devi stated that starting the International Women’s Day celebrations with the Shakti Walk sends a powerful message across the country. She emphasized that women today are demonstrating their capabilities in every field and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing efforts to recognize and empower the strength of India’s women, daughters, and sisters to lead the nation’s development.
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