Women-led Development in the Rajya Sabha

• Women-led development is a key focus of India’s government, with women not only beneficiaries but also setting the agenda for development.
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar has introduced progressive measures in the House and Secretariat to promote gender balance.
• Dhankar reconstituted the panel of vice-chairpersons to include only women, symbolizing their commanding position during the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Bill) 2023.
• Four women members, constituting 50% of the panel of vice-chairpersons, have been nominated, making them the first woman Rajya Sabha member from Nagaland to preside over the House.
• The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration emphasizes the importance of investing in the empowerment of all women and girls for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• The Rajya Sabha Secretariat has started several initiatives to strike a gender balance, including training all gazetted women officers to perform House-related duties.
• Women officers have been appointed in key positions and leading roles in the Secretariat, including human resources, the legislative section, and the capacity-building division.
• Gender sensitisation workshops and talks have been organized to create a culture of gender parity.
• Women’s day programs are conceptualized, organized, and executed by women officers or employees.
• Regular interactions between the legislature and academia are encouraged, with Dhankar inviting five interns from Miranda House for a 15-day course on parliamentary procedures.