India highlights Rights-Based, Inclusive and People-Centric development approach at the 64th session of the UN Commission for Social Development, being held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
Women and Child Development Minister of State, Smt. Savitri Thakur addresses the Ministerial Forum on the theme “Leveraging the outcomes of the Second World Summit for Social Development from Copenhagen to Doha: Mobilizing National Action towards 2030 and beyond.”
By PIB Delhi
India highlighted its rights-based, inclusive, and people-centric development approach at the UN discussion on “Leveraging outcomes of the Second World Summit for Social Development from Copenhagen to Doha.” Delivering India’s statement, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur underscored that social justice remains central to India’s national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Recalling that the Copenhagen Declaration placed people at the heart of development and that the Doha Political Declaration reaffirmed this commitment amid emerging global challenges, the Minister noted that India’s governance philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” reflects a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure dignity, equity, and opportunity for all.
Highlighting India’s large-scale social protection and inclusion measures, Smt. Savitri Thakur shared that:
- Over 800 million people are covered under food security programmes
- More than 550 million citizens access free healthcare through an extensive network of health and wellness centres
- Affordable medicines and medical devices are provided through 16,000 Jan Arogya Kendras
- Over 1.45 million elected women representatives serve in local governance, reflecting India’s commitment to grassroots democracy
- Flagship initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana are strengthening education and financial security for girls
- Labour reforms promote equal pay, safe workplaces, and women’s workforce participation
- Large-scale collateral-free loans have enabled millions of women, entrepreneurs, and street vendors to enter the formal economy
- Targeted schemes such as SMILE are supporting the rehabilitation and inclusion of transgender persons and other vulnerable groups
Smt. Thakur emphasized that India’s development journey integrates digital public infrastructure, direct benefit transfers, and citizen participation, ensuring transparency and last-mile delivery.
Reaffirming India’s civilizational ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family — the Minister expressed India’s readiness to strengthen global partnerships and share its development experience to advance social justice worldwide.
The session witnessed the active participation of the majority of UN Member states.
Following the session, the Minister also held a courtesy meeting with H.E. Ms. Camilla Waltersson Grönvall, Minister for Social Services, Government of Sweden.
