International Women's Day 2025: Celebrating Women, Infinite Forces of Change

India’s Women Entrepreneurial Revolution

Women are creating their niche as business founders and entrepreneurs, powering India's startup nation with vision and grit. As per the Edelgive Foundation, female-owned businesses in India are estimated to increase 90 percent within the next half-decade at a rate outpacing even many developed economies. This proliferation of women-led entrepreneurship is only a testament to the drive of Indian women, but also, slowly but surely, the reduction of systemic walls that previously checked their progress. Initiatives such as the Startup India Initiative have honored more than 73,000 startups that have at least one woman director, which emphasizes how important the contribution of women has been to foster innovation. Women entrepreneurs, while starting technology firms or socially-driven social ventures, are demonstrating how leadership thrives on diversity. They're not only establishing enterprises they're establishing ecosystems that help others think big and aspire even higher.

The Rise of Indian Women Leaders

Even the corporate world is seeing more and more women leaders now. Trailblazers like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Falguni Nayar breaking barriers. They lead 18 percent of startups and 22 percent of MSMEs, driving India’s growth. Their leadership brings various perspectives, fosters inclusive workplaces, and promotes sustainable growth.

Besides business and politics, women also have a central role to play in India's socio-economic structure, contributing to 48 percent of agricultural workers despite owning just 13 percent of the land.  Their increasing contribution to industry and services, along with increased access to education, finance, and leadership skills, is the key to unleashing India's latent potential and realizing inclusive growth. Leadership also exists at the grassroots, where women take charge of local movements, drive climate action, and push for healthcare reform. From guiding village councils to shaping policy reforms, their leadership dispels the myth that difference-making must happen in a corner office that it occurs wherever resolve and vision converge.

The Indian government, appreciative of the power of women's leadership, has increased its initiatives to close the gender gap. The Gender Budget for FY 2025-26 of 4.49 lakh crore is a 37.5 percent rise over last year. This money will be used to increase women's participation in sectors ranging from agriculture to technology so that each woman has the funds and opportunities to become a leader. In addition to budgetary allocations, policies for women's safety, skill building, and financial inclusion are setting the stage for long-term empowerment. These initiatives are not only empowering in