Annapurna Devi: Women’s Safety is the Government’s Highest Priority

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi has reaffirmed that ensuring the safety and dignity of women remains the government’s foremost priority, emphasizing that the true progress of any nation depends on the security and empowerment of its women.

 

Addressing a national conference focused on workplace safety for women, the Minister stated that respect for women forms the foundation of social and national development. She noted that women are increasingly at the centre of policymaking and decision-making processes, with their participation steadily rising across sectors. The government, she said, is committed to creating workplaces that are safe, sensitive, and rooted in equal opportunity, aligning with the broader vision of building a developed India by 2047.

 

Highlighting workplace safety as a critical pillar of empowerment, Annapurna Devi underscored the importance of implementing robust mechanisms to prevent and address harassment. She referred to the effective enforcement of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, with the Ministry functioning as the nodal authority to ensure compliance across institutions.

 

She also pointed to the launch of the “She-Box” portal on 29 August 2024, designed to strengthen the grievance redressal system for complaints related to workplace harassment. The platform has seen participation from approximately 1.5 lakh government and private organizations, reflecting increasing awareness and sensitivity toward women’s safety concerns.

 

The Minister emphasized that women’s empowerment requires a comprehensive approach that integrates safety, equal opportunity, dignity, and active participation. She highlighted increased budgetary allocations aimed at promoting gender equality and noted ongoing efforts to expand support systems, including hostels and institutional facilities, to enhance women’s participation in the workforce.

 

During the conference, it was reiterated that a nation can progress only when women feel secure and are able to work with dignity. The gathering brought together representatives from more than 100 organizations, with nearly 1,500 delegates participating in discussions on strengthening institutional frameworks for workplace safety.

 

Members of Parliament, senior officials, and policy experts were present at the event, reflecting a collective commitment toward advancing gender justice and reinforcing systems that safeguard women in professional environments.

 

The conference underscored the government’s stated objective of ensuring that legal safeguards are effectively implemented and that workplaces across the country adhere strictly to standards that promote equality, security, and respect for women.