As always, the sizeable female population of Uttar Pradesh is poised to wield significant influence in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
All political parties are vying to win over this demographic, yet recent voting trends indicate a strong preference among women for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
BJP sources here on Tuesday said this shift, noticeable since 2014 and reinforced after 2017, has been bolstered by the double-engine government’s commitment to women-centric initiatives over the past seven years. The Yogi administration has implemented schemes addressing various stages of a girl’s life, from birth through education to marriage, while promoting programmes fostering women’s self-reliance.
Furthermore, improved law and order situation in the state has given women a newfound sense of security, enabling them to live without fear.
Consequently, the female labour force participation rate has surged to 32.10 per cent. All these facts, coupled with the experience during the recent elections in the state, suggest female voters’ leaning towards the double-engine government. Notably, of the state’s total 15.34 crore voters, 7.17 crore are women, underscoring their potential as a decisive electoral force.
Under CM Yogi’s leadership, concerted efforts to ensure women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance have borne fruit, as evidenced by notable achievements. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report, the state’s female labour force participation rate surged from 14.2 per cent in 2017-18 to an impressive 32.10 per cent in 2022-23. This remarkable increase is attributed to the focused endeavors initiated under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s stewardship, underscoring the government’s commitment to women’s upliftment.
Over the past seven years, the Yogi administration has consistently prioritised “women empowerment” through several policies and initiatives. Notably, women are actively engaged as equal stakeholders in employment-related programmes. The Mudra Yojana, for instance, has emerged as a catalyst for nurturing female entrepreneurship, particularly among economically disadvantaged segments. Approximately 70 per cent of total loans disbursed nationwide are allocated to women beneficiaries.
Moreover, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana has facilitated the integration of women into self-help groups and rural organisations across the country. The support extended under the National Livelihood Mission has witnessed a substantial increase, with assistance provided in the last seven years surpassing the figures of the preceding five years by nearly thirteenfold.
Additionally, the permissible loan amount for self-help groups has been doubled, now at Rs 20 lakh compared to the previous limit of Rs 10 lakh. Women-led self-help groups play a pivotal role in 80,000 ration shops across the state, further underscoring their integral role in fostering economic empowerment and community development.
Uttar Pradesh has distinguished itself as the leading state nationwide in delivering justice for crimes involving women and children. The government has undertaken efforts to streamline regulations, enabling women to work night shifts easily and eliminating previous restrictions on their employment in mines.
Notably, the historic decision to open the doors of Sainik Schools to girls across the country has been applauded.
Under the leadership of the Yogi government, 218 fast-track courts have been established to expedite the trial in grave offences such as rape, ensuring swifter justice. The Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, aimed at facilitating educational opportunities for girls, has seen an increase in assistance from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, benefiting 18.66 lakh daughters so far.
Moreover, the Mukhya Mantri Samuhik Vivah Yojna provides support for the marriages of daughters from impoverished families, extending its reach to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, Other Backward Classes, and economically disadvantaged families from the general category. Widows and divorcees are also eligible for scheme benefits, with each couple receiving an allocation of Rs 51,000. To date, the scheme has facilitated the marriage of 3.50 lakh couples.
Furthermore, impoverished women receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 per beneficiary, with the current count at 32.71 lakh beneficiaries. These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring justice, empowerment, and support for vulnerable segments of society.
A significant portion of the population has been galvanised, empowered, and rendered self-sufficient. An initiative has been instituted to offer financial aid to women and girls who have suffered egregious crimes, with compensation disbursed to 7,105 individuals so far. To bolster women’s organisation, empowerment, and self-reliance, over one crore women from rural households have been encompassed through the formation of 8.37 lakh self-help groups.
Furthermore, women’s self-help groups have been allocated 1,840 fair-price shops under the public distribution system, and they are now entrusted with preparing nutritious meals at Anganwadi centres. The Yogi government’s Banking Correspondent Sakhi Yojna has emerged as a paragon of financial inclusion, with BC Sakhis ongoing across all 57 thousand gram panchayats in the state through various banks.
Through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 1.75 crore families in the state have been provided free gas connections. Additionally, complimentary LPG cylinders are distributed during Holi and Diwali festivals. Furthermore, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a commendable 55.83 lakh houses have been constructed in the state, with a significant portion allocated in the name of Matrishakti.
In line with the PM SWANidhi Yojana, loans have been disbursed to 17 lakh street vendors, with over 2 lakh women beneficiaries. The Swachh Bharat Mission has resulted in the construction of 2.61 crore toilets (Izzatghar) in the state, alongside the establishment of 4,500 pink toilets in urban areas. Moreover, through the PM SVAMITVA Yojna (Gharauni), ownership certificates have been provided to 66.59 lakh beneficiaries, predominantly women.
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana has extended financial assistance to 54.44 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers. At the same time, the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme has raised awareness among 1.90 crore women and girls.
Female voters in Uttar Pradesh exhibit a heightened interest in electoral participation compared to their male counterparts. Their engagement in the voting process has steadily risen, significantly influencing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s electoral success. A notable trend has been witnessed in recent years: women have surpassed men in voter turnout. In 2017, 63.31 per cent of women voters exercised their franchise, which escalated to 67.18 per cent during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Over the past three decades, an estimated 15 per cent increase in female voter turnout has been witnessed, indicating a growing political awareness and interest among women. Women are now more politically astute and are emerging as a pivotal voting bank, with their voting behavior playing a decisive role in election outcomes. Data analysis reveals that parties garnering favour among women voters have successfully secured power. This trend underscores the evolving political landscape where women are actively shaping the democratic process through their electoral participation.