DEHRADUN: Women have been central to the success of Uttarakhand since its formation, with many playing a crucial role in the state's development. In several hill districts, women outnumber men due to migration, making them the backbone of local life. Over the past 24 years, women in Uttarakhand have increasingly risen to prominent positions in various sectors, a trend that reflects their growing leadership in the state.
Following the formation of Uttarakhand, the state government has taken significant steps to empower women, yielding positive results. A landmark reform was the introduction of reservation for women in urban local bodies and the three-tier Panchayat system, which has paved the way for the emergence of women leaders at various levels. In a further push for gender equality, the current government under chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has decided to implement 33% reservation for women in cooperative societies.
Additionally, the government has reinstated 30% horizontal reservation for women in government jobs. Notably, the state’s chief secretary is a woman, and women are now holding key positions, such as District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police, in several districts. The government is also focusing on education and financial support for women, with a special emphasis on girls' education.
To incentivize female education, the state has launched several schemes under the Nanda Gaurav Yojana, which provides Rs 12,000 at the birth of a girl and Rs 51,00.