Gujarat Government Launches Comprehensive 'State Policy for Gender Equity-2024'

The Gujarat government has unveiled the 'State Policy for Gender Equity-2024', aimed at fostering inclusive development and empowerment of women and girls. The revised policy, originally initiated in 2006, now incorporates broader areas such as education, health, and decision-making to address evolving socio-economic challenges and align with global sustainable development goals.

The Gujarat government has introduced an updated 'State Policy for Gender Equity-2024', expanding its scope to ensure inclusive development and the empowerment of women and girls, officials announced on Sunday.

The reformed policy aims to create a supportive environment that eradicates gender discrimination and provides equal opportunities. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized the importance of these reforms in his official message, highlighting the need for changes in social structures.

First implemented in 2006 under then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the policy was one of the first to integrate gender issues into mainstream development. Due to shifts in socio-economic contexts and evolving laws, the new policy framework addresses these changes, aligning with global sustainable development goals.

The 'Naari Gaurav Niti-2024' features eight focal areas and will be executed through various state departments. The policy aims for gender equality by ensuring equal rights and eliminating discriminatory practices in all government development activities. Indicators for monitoring progress include maternal mortality rate, sex ratio at birth, and female employment rate.

Departments are responsible for the policy's implementation, which includes mandatory integration of gender equality perspectives and aligning budget allocations with these considerations to ensure balanced benefit distribution.

(With inputs from agencies.)