India has reaffirmed its commitment to women-led development at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Women’s Forum 2026 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Addressing the event virtually, Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi emphasised that women are not merely beneficiaries of growth but the most powerful drivers of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Highlighting the role of women in economic development, the Minister said nearly 100 million women are organised into more than nine million Self-Help Groups, of whom over 30 million have become Lakhpati Didis. She said schemes such as Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0 are advancing women’s safety, care and economic participation.

The Minister also reaffirmed India’s readiness to share its experiences and deepen cooperation with SCO partner countries in advancing women’s economic leadership and well-being across the region.