Government Initiatives to Support Women Employees and Entrepreneurs in India

The Government of India has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in the workplace and supporting women entrepreneurs. These initiatives focus on creating a safe, secure, and non-discriminatory environment for women employees while also fostering women-owned enterprises. Through legislative measures and various programs, the government seeks to ensure that women have equal opportunities for career growth, business development, and social security.

Legal Framework for Women’s Empowerment in the Workplace

The Companies Act, 2013: Ensuring Gender Diversity in Corporate Boards

The Companies Act, 2013, administered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, contains provisions designed to ensure a gender-equal environment in corporate India. One key provision under the Act mandates that listed companies and other public companies with a paid-up share capital of Rs. 100 crore or more, or turnover of Rs. 300 crore or more, must appoint at least one woman director on their boards. This requirement is outlined in Section 149 of the Companies Act, which is complemented by Rule 3 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014.

In addition, companies must include a statement in their Board Report, which is attached to the annual financial statement, confirming compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. This ensures that companies have a mandatory Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) to address any grievances related to workplace harassment.

Government Schemes Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

The Government of India has introduced a variety of schemes aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs by offering financial support, training, and capacity building.

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGS)

Under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGS), women entrepreneurs receive additional benefits compared to other entrepreneurs. This initiative is designed to provide financial support and guarantees to small businesses, helping women access capital to start or grow their enterprises.

Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)

The Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a significant credit-linked subsidy scheme designed to generate employment opportunities in rural and urban areas. This program has a substantial focus on women beneficiaries, who receive higher subsidies compared to other non-special category applicants. PMEGP has been instrumental in promoting women entrepreneurship in India, especially in small-scale manufacturing and service sectors.

Stand-Up India Scheme (SUI)

The Stand-Up India Scheme (SUI) encourages entrepreneurship among women, Scheduled Caste (SC), and Scheduled Tribe (ST) borrowers. The scheme facilitates loans ranging from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore for greenfield enterprises. Each bank branch is mandated to provide loans to at least one woman borrower and one SC/ST borrower to promote economic inclusion and entrepreneurship in these communities.

Yashasvini Initiative

Launched on 27 June 2024, the Yashasvini initiative focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs, especially those in Tier-II/III towns. This program aims to enhance the capacity building of women entrepreneurs and to provide them with the necessary tools and support to establish and grow their businesses.

Legislative Provisions for Women’s Protection and Welfare

In addition to promoting entrepreneurship, the Government of India has enacted several laws to ensure safe, secure, and non-discriminatory workplaces for women. These provisions also extend to maternity benefits and protection against sexual harassment at the workplace.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (commonly known as the SH Act) provides a comprehensive legal framework for the prevention and redressal of sexual harassment in the workplace. The law mandates the constitution of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in organizations with 10 or more employees. In cases where the workplace has fewer than 10 employees, or when the complaint is against the employer, a Local Committee (LC) must be formed by the District Officer.

To facilitate the filing of complaints, the revamped Sexual Harassment electronic–Box (SHe-Box) was launched by the government on 29 August 2024. This initiative provides a centralized platform for women to file complaints related to sexual harassment, regardless of their employment status or the sector they work in.

Maternity Benefits and Workplace Equality

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 requires establishments with 50 or more employees to provide a creche facility for women employees. This measure ensures that working mothers have access to childcare facilities while maintaining their professional responsibilities. Additionally, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Code on Wages, 2019 provide maternity benefits and emphasize the need for gender equality in the workplace.

Supporting Working Mothers

To support working mothers, the government introduced the “Palna” scheme on 1 April 2022. This Centrally Sponsored Scheme provides daycare facilities to ensure that working mothers can balance their professional and parental responsibilities while their children receive care and protection during working hours.

Summary of the news