BJP / Modi Government's Pro-Women Policies

On this Women's Day, Congress party has started a twitter trend of #WomanKiBaat as a pun on PM Modi's #MannKiBaat. Cong is certainly unsettled by BJP Govt's women-centric policies. On the other hand, the party is highlighting the pro-women policies it had made during its tenure. 

First, it is totally unfair to compare BJP Govt's 5-6 years with Congress Party's 50 years rule. Secondly, one just needs to recall "Shah Bano Case" to judge how Congress valued women rights. 

We can recall following pro-women policies made by BJP / Modi Goverenment:

Criminalizing Triple Talaq (2019): Protecting Muslim women's rights

Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill (2016): Banning Commercial Surrogacy, protecting poor women from exploitation

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (2016): Govt started Ujjwala Yojna, to provide free cooking gas connection to women in order to protect their health

Swachh Bharat campaign (2014) under which govt assisted in making toilets in all rural households, protecting dignity of women

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana (2015) to protect and educate girl child

Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme (2015) to promote families saving money to future of their daughters

Mahila-E-Haat (2016), a bilingual online marketing platform to help women entrepreneurs, self-help groups, and NGOs to showcase their products and services

Mahila Shakti Kendra (2017) to empower rural women with opportunities for skill development, employment, digital literacy, health and nutrition

Relaunched Working Women Hostel (2017) to help women manage work along with raising children

Women Helpline Scheme (2015): To provide 24 hour emergency response to women affected by violence including sexual offences and harassment

Maternity Leave up to 26 weeks (2016): Govt increased maternity leave given to both government employees but also private employees to 26 weeks from 12 weeks. 

Muslim Women Allowed To Go On Haj Without Male Guardian (2018): Govt removed the discriminatory practice wherein Muslim women were allowed to travel for Haj only when there was a male guardian accompanying them

Permanent Commission to Women Officers (2019):  In March 2019, the defence ministry announced that women officers be granted a permanent commission (PC) in all 10 branches of the Indian Army

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (2016): the scheme focuses on providing a free check-up to pregnant women on the 9th of every month in government health centers

There is no doubt that women's welfare is certainly among the top priorities of Modi Government.