India Highlights Rights-Based Development at the 64th UN Commission for Social Development
SDG 1: No Poverty | SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Ministry of Women and Child Development
India has affirmed that social justice remains the central pillar of its national vision, highlighting a rights-based and people-centric development approach during the 64th session of the UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD64) in New York. Addressing the Ministerial Forum, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, suggested that India’s governance philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” reflects a comprehensive effort to ensure dignity and equity for all citizens. This approach aligns national action with the goals of the Copenhagen Declaration and the Doha Political Declaration, positioning people at the heart of the 2030 Agenda.
Large-Scale Social Protection and Inclusion India showcased its extensive social safety net and grassroots empowerment initiatives:
Food and Health Security: Over 800 million people are covered under food security programs, while more than 550 million access free healthcare through a vast network of wellness centers and 16,000 Jan Arogya Kendras.
Grassroots Democracy: The presence of over 1.45 million elected women representatives in local governance exemplifies India’s commitment to gender-inclusive decision-making.
Targeted Support: Flagship schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and SMILE are actively strengthening financial security for girls and ensuring the rehabilitation of vulnerable groups, including transgender persons.
What is the “Doha Political Declaration” referenced in India’s UN statement? The Doha Political Declaration is a high-level international commitment aimed at reaffirming the principles of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development. It emphasizes mobilizing national and international action to address emerging global challenges—such as inequality and poverty—while placing people at the center of development. In her address, Minister Thakur highlighted that India’s “Viksit Bharat@2047” vision is a direct local application of these global goals, utilizing digital public infrastructure to ensure last-mile delivery of social justice.
Policy Relevance
India’s statement at the UN represents a transition from traditional welfare to a digital-first empowerment model.
Institutionalizing Digital Delivery: By integrating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), India has established a global benchmark for transparency and efficiency in social protection, which can be adapted by other developing economies.
Gender-Led Governance: The focus on 1.45 million women in local governance shifts policy from viewing women as mere beneficiaries to recognizing them as primary drivers of grassroots social change.
Formalizing the Vulnerable Economy: Large-scale collateral-free loans for street vendors and small entrepreneurs serve as a strategic model for transitioning vulnerable populations into the formal economy, supporting long-term economic resilience.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the Ministry of Women and Child Development leverage the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ ethos to establish a formal ‘Global Social Justice Exchange’ for sharing India’s DPI-led inclusion models with other Global South nations by 2030?
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