Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday stated that women’s safety, dignity, and self-respect form the bedrock of a prosperous and empowered society, while highlighting a broad spectrum of central and state welfare initiatives designed to support women throughout all stages of life.
In a message shared on social media on the third day of Sharadiya Navratri, Adityanath noted that every policy of the current administration is aligned with protecting female dignity and honoring women. He offered his devotions to Maa Chandraghanta, whose divine form is commemorated on that day of the festival, tying the spiritual significance of the occasion directly to the state's governance agenda.
Adityanath used the opportunity to criticize the security landscape in Uttar Pradesh prior to 2017, claiming that widespread lawlessness previously compromised the safety and respect of women. He asserted that prior administrations prioritized the interests of ruling families over grassroots female empowerment, contrasting that era with the current governance model under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Detailing the welfare measures, the Chief Minister referenced schemes such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao for the protection and education of girls, and the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, which offers financial support at critical milestones in a girl's life. He also mentioned the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana for financial assistance during marriages and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana for maternity support.
Additional welfare actions cited by the Chief Minister included the Ujjwala Yojana for cleaner cooking gas, the construction of rural household toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission known locally as Izzat Ghar, and the distribution of property deeds through the Gharauni initiative to secure rural residential rights.
Furthermore, Adityanath pointed to social security provisions like old-age pensions and free bus transportation for women aged 60 and above across the state as vital steps toward enhancing female mobility and financial independence. He reaffirmed that the administration remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard women's honor and build an inclusive society.