Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday highlighted the importance of girls’ education, maternal health and women’s empowerment on the occasion of Navratri, saying that a healthy and empowered female population was essential for securing the country’s future.
In a post on social media, Adityanath described Maa Skandamata, worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri, as a symbol of affection, maternal love and nourishment. He stated that the worship of the deity conveys the message that the nation’s present can be secure and its future bright only when women are healthy, educated and empowered.
The Chief Minister criticized previous governments in Uttar Pradesh, alleging that prior to 2017, political interests and family-based politics took precedence over the welfare of women and girls. He claimed that neglect and corruption severely impacted maternal healthcare, pointing to poorly equipped hospitals, medicine shortages and inadequate facilities for institutional deliveries that contributed to high maternal and infant mortality rates.
Adityanath stated that his administration has worked over the past nine and a half years to strengthen healthcare, education and welfare measures for women and girls, establishing a support system that spans from a girl’s birth through her education and safe motherhood.
Detailing improvements in school infrastructure, the Chief Minister noted that the coverage of basic facilities in primary schools rose from 36 per cent to over 96 per cent under Operation Kayakalp. He added that the school dropout rate declined from 20 per cent to under 3 per cent, and highlighted Atal Residential Schools as an initiative providing residential education to children from workers' families and disadvantaged backgrounds. Furthermore, he noted that extending educational facilities up to Class 12 in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas is helping female students continue their studies.
Emphasizing the long-term benefits of educating girls, Adityanath concluded that investments in their education bolster their confidence and directly contribute to the future development of Uttar Pradesh.