Incremental steps taken over the past few years have gradually set the stage for significant strides to be made by the country's women workforce in terms of gainful employment. Budget 2025 could be India's big chance to pull off a major growth manoeuvre by ensuring full deployment of its yet-untapped female firepower.

Read More: Budget 2025 can position India as the world’s China Plus One hub with manufacturing prowess

The Union Budget 2024-25 allocated over Rs 3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women and girls. The Ministry of Women and Child Development saw its budget increase by 3%, reaching Rs 26,092 crore, the highest in over a decade. Flagship initiatives like Mission Shakti (Sambal and Samarthya) received significant funding boosts. Sambal, which focuses on women’s safety and security, saw its allocation rise to Rs 629 crore. Meanwhile, Samarthya, aimed at empowerment through education and skill development, received Rs 2,517 crore, up from Rs 1,864 crore the previous year.

Indian women, despite constituting 48% of the population, contribute only 18% to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), a study by the National Family Health Survey found. As per the study, bridging the gender gap in employment could potentially lead to a 30% increase in the country's GDP. Another study, by McKinsey

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