**Executive Summary**
This document reports on the President of India's participation in International Women's Day celebrations on March 8, 2026. The event, organized by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, aimed to celebrate women's achievements and reaffirm commitments to gender equality and empowerment. Key actions include establishing women's hostels in each district (Union Budget 2026-27) and promoting initiatives for women's economic participation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Details:**
* The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, graced and addressed the International Women's Day event in New Delhi on March 8, 2026.
* The event was organized by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.
* The purpose was to celebrate women's achievements and reaffirm commitments to gender equality, safety, dignity, and empowerment.
* **Women's Role in Development:**
* Women are playing leading roles across various fields, including education, administration, judiciary, military, medicine, science, technology, arts, and entrepreneurship.
* In rural areas, women are becoming financially self-reliant through Self-Help Groups and leading rural development in panchayats.
* Women are demonstrating leadership in industry, startups, and the corporate world.
* Participation in STEM education is increasing, with the Union Budget 2026-27 allocating funds for women's hostels in each district to support STEM students.
* **Economic Empowerment:**
* Women are emerging as job creators; over half of the startups supported by the Start-up India scheme have at least one female director.
* Over two lakh women-owned MSMEs are active on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
* The SHE-Mart initiative, launched in the Union Budget 2026-27, will provide better markets for products made by self-help groups and rural women.
* Labor codes implemented last year aim to create a more inclusive, safe, and empowering work environment for women.
* **Challenges and Societal Shift:**
* Despite progress, obstacles such as discrimination, unequal pay, and domestic violence persist.
* Legislation alone is insufficient; a shift in societal mindset is crucial for establishing true gender equality.
* Moving beyond gender-based discrimination is necessary for societal equality.
* **National Goals and Citizen Pledges:**
* Equal participation of women is essential for true development and achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.
* Inspiring women and supporting their dreams is vital for national progress.
* Citizens are urged to pledge to provide education and equal opportunities to every girl, prioritize women's respect and safety, and eliminate all forms of discrimination.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Women of India**
* **Impact:** The initiatives and recognition highlight the progress and ongoing efforts towards women's empowerment, economic independence, leadership roles, and participation in education and employment.
* **Action Required:** Continue to leverage opportunities, pursue education, contribute to leadership roles, and participate in government schemes and initiatives.
* **Students (particularly female STEM students)**
* **Impact:** The establishment of women's hostels in each district, as provided for in the Union Budget 2026-27, will offer crucial support for their continued studies.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the new hostel facilities to pursue higher education in STEM fields.
* **Self-Help Groups and Rural Women Entrepreneurs**
* **Impact:** The SHE-Mart initiative will provide improved market access for their products, enhancing their economic viability.
* **Action Required:** Engage with and utilize the SHE-Mart platform for better market reach.
* **The Government and Society**
* **Impact:** The emphasis on women's participation is presented as a prerequisite for national development and achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement policies and programs that promote gender equality, ensure safety and respect for women, and foster a societal mindset shift away from gender-based discrimination. Citizens are called upon to take pledges to support these efforts.
Key Entities Referenced
Union Ministry of Women and Child Development: The government ministry responsible for organizing the International Women's Day event.
President Droupadi Murmu: The President of India, who graced and addressed the event.
New Delhi: The location where the International Women's Day celebrations were held.
Start-up India scheme: A government initiative supporting startups, relevant to women's entrepreneurial roles.
SHE-Mart initiative: An initiative launched to support women-owned MSMEs and self-help groups.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN NEW DELHI
TO ACHIEVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE TRUE SENSE, WE
MUST ENSURE EQUAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN, WHO
CONSTITUTE NEARLY HALF OF THE COUNTRY'S
POPULATION: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
Posted On: 08 MAR 2026 2:55PM by PIB Delhi
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and
addressed the event organised by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development in New Delhi
today (March 8, 2026). This national-level event was organised to celebrate the achievements and
contributions of women across diverse fields and reaffirm the collective commitment towards gender
equality, safety, dignity and empowerment of women.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that women are playing leading role in every field—
education, administration, judiciary, military, medicine, science, technology, arts and entrepreneurship.
Women in rural areas are becoming financially self-reliant through Self-Help Groups. They are providing
leadership to rural development in panchayats. Many women are leveraging their abilities and capabilities
to provide leadership in industry, startups and the corporate world. They are excelling in sports too. Such
examples instil confidence that, given the opportunities and support, women can achieve excellence in
every field.The President said that India is rapidly moving towards women-led development. Over the past decade,
strong foundation has been laid for removing barriers in the path of women. India has achieved gender
parity in school education. Even in higher education, the number of female students is higher in terms of
Gross Enrolment Ratio. Women's participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) education is rapidly increasing. The Union Budget 2026-27 provides for the establishment of a
women's hostel in each district to help STEM students continue their studies. Our daughters are getting
ready for leadership roles in the knowledge economy.
The President said that women are emerging as job creators. More than half of the start-ups receiving
support under Start-up India scheme have at least one female director. More than two lakh women-owned
MSMEs are currently active on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). The SHE-Mart initiative, launchedin the Union Budget 2026-27, will provide better markets for products made by self-help groups and rural
women. The labour codes implemented last year aim to provide a more inclusive, safe and empowering
work environment for women workers.
The President said that despite numerous efforts toward women's empowerment, many obstacles still
remain in their journey of development. For example, even today, many women face problems such as
discrimination, unequal pay for equal work and domestic violence. These cannot be addressed solely
through legislation. A shift in societal mindset is essential. Only when we move beyond the mindset of
gender-based discrimination can we truly establish equality in society.
The President said that to achieve development in the true sense, we must ensure equal participation of
women, who constitute nearly half of the country's population. We have set the goal of making India a
developed nation by 2047. For our country to progress rapidly and for realising the full potential of
citizens for the national benefit, it is essential that we not only inspire women to dream big but also
support them at every step in achieving those dreams. In an environment free from fear and
discrimination, women can contribute their best towards nation-building. She said that, on this
International Women’s Day, all citizens should pledge to provide education and equal opportunities to
every girl, to prioritise the respect and safety of women, and to strive to eliminate all forms of
discrimination prevalent in society. By doing so, we can present the ideal of women's empowerment to the
world.
Please click here to see the President's speech-
***
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