UNFPA Report Highlights India’s Gains in Health Innovation and Women’s Empowerment
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being | SDG 5: Gender Equality
Institutions: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare | Ministry of Women & Child Development
The UNFPA 2024 Orange Book of Results highlights significant progress in India’s health and gender equality landscape. Resource allocations for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) increased by 20% in four focus states, from $270 million in 2022 to $324 million in 2024, reflecting stronger state-level commitments. To expand choice, two additional contraceptive methods were introduced in six more states.
India also piloted blockchain technology in Odisha to improve One Stop Centre information-sharing and strengthened gender-based violence response through police partnerships in Rajasthan. On the empowerment front, 770 Women and Girls Friendly Gram Panchayats were established nationwide, while Madhya Pradesh launched the Devi Ahilyabai Nari Shakti Mission. Digital innovation advanced through “Just Ask”, an AI-enabled multilingual chatbot accessed by over 120,000 users, delivering stigma-free information on health and rights. Policy dialogues on National Transfer Accounts (NTA) fostered a focus on the “Silver Dividend”, maximising the economic and social contributions of older populations.
These developments align with Digital India, POSHAN Abhiyaan, and the National Health Mission. They demonstrate how India is linking technology, decentralised governance, and gender-sensitive programmes to strengthen public health and social resilience.
What is the Silver Dividend? → The economic and social potential of older populations when policies enable active ageing, productivity, and intergenerational support.
What is the Orange Book? → The Orange Book of Results is UNFPA’s annual flagship report tracking programme outcomes worldwide. For India, it documents advances in health, gender equality, and demographic resilience through state and central partnerships.
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