The Finance Ministry has highlighted the increasing participation of women in the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), with the number of women agents rising from 6 lakh in 2018 to 7.45 lakh in 2023. For every 100 LIC agents, 28 are women, reflecting the growing inclusion of women in the financial services sector.

To further this effort, 25,000 women will be designated as Bima Sakhis, primarily in rural areas, according to the Ministry. These women will receive a monthly stipend, starting at ₹7,000 in the first year, followed by ₹6,000 in the second year, and ₹5,000 in the third year, in addition to earning commissions for their work.

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Women in the armed forces and education

In the education sector, the government noted the increasing enrolment of women in Sainik Schools, with 33 such institutions now admitting female students. The Ministry also highlighted growing interest among women in enrolling for combat roles in the armed forces, marking a significant shift towards gender equality in the military.

Financial inclusion and support for women entrepreneurs

The Finance Ministry also pointed to the success of the government’s financial inclusion programs, which have provided women with better access to banking and credit. 55% of accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana are held by women, while 70% of beneficiaries under the Mudra scheme are women.

Similarly, 75% of loans under the Stand Up India scheme, which supports women entrepreneurs, are provided to female borrowers. Additionally, 45% of the beneficiaries under the PM Swanidhi Scheme, aimed at supporting street vendors, are women.

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