New Delhi, March 5: A United Nations official dedicated to women’s empowerment praised India’s initiative that provides banking services to over 290 million women. This program is recognized as a transformative global model for women and girls.
Sandra Hendricks, the policy director of UN Women, stated that the Indian government’s effort to enable digital identification for its entire female and girl population—representing one-fifth of the world’s total—is commendable.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the 70th annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women next week, she remarked, “Reducing the barriers to opening digital bank accounts for women and girls across India is also an exemplary step.”
She emphasized that digital financial inclusion is an essential and transformative pathway for women and girls. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has successfully provided banking services to women, with 56% of the accounts opened under this program now belonging to them.
This achievement has been made possible due to the universal biometric-based digital identification system known as Aadhaar.
Hendricks noted that PMJDY showcases the legislative power and potential for change for women and girls. Real change occurs when laws facilitate women’s progress, such as opening bank accounts and starting their own businesses.
Ahead of the women’s commission meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a report emphasizing access to justice for all women and girls.
Globally, women enjoy only 64% of the legal rights that men have, as many countries still maintain discriminatory legal frameworks.
The report indicated that while progress is possible, it requires a focus on solid and participatory justice outcomes for women and girls. This must be based on fundamental human rights of non-discrimination and equality, while also understanding systemic exclusion and power imbalances.
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