To celebrate International Women’s Day, a discussion unfolded on women’s health and education, on 6th March 2025, with Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director, Population Foundation of India, and Timothy Curtis, Director, UNESCO, moderated by Himanshi Dhawan, Senior Editor, The Times of India. The panel discussed the progress made, the persisting challenges, and the policy directions needed to empower women in India.
The event was organised by the Embassy of Austria and the Embassy of Slovenia, in collaboration with Diplomatist Magazine, on March 6, 2025. The gathering, held at the residence of the Austrian Ambassador in New Delhi, celebrated International Women’s Day and marked the handover of the EU Gender Championship.
Himanshi Dhawan set the stage by acknowledging the strides women have made across sectors—from sports to science, from fighter pilots to educationists. “Our indices in women’s health and education are improving, and we are moving closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she noted. However, she posed a crucial question to Timothy Curtis: Are we closer to achieving universal literacy for women?
Timothy Curtis emphasised the progress made in education, particularly at the primary level. “India has achieved near-universal primary education, including for girls,” he stated. However, he pointed out that the dropout rate increases during adolescence, particularly in secondary education. “A lot of the dropout rates in early adolescence are linked to health and well-being issues,” he noted, underscoring UNESCO’s initiatives in India to address these challenges.
UNESCO has been working with the Government of India to train teachers under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) framework. “We have reached approximately 29,000 teachers and 3 million adolescents through comprehensive training programs on health and well-being,” Curtis revealed. He highlighted initiatives like ‘Spot Red,’ which focuses on menstrual hygiene management to ensure that young girls do not drop out due to a lack of resources or support.
Poonam Muttreja offered a stark reality check. “The glass is half full in terms of progress, but it remains half empty when we look at the persistent challenges,” she said. While India has seen improvements in maternal and child mortality rates and increased access to family planning services, deep-rooted issues still prevail.
She shared alarming statistics: “Almost 60% of young girls in India are anemic, and nearly one in four women between 20-24 years was married before the age of 18. Worse still, one-fifth of girls marry before 15.” The conversation also turned to gender-based violence. “Thirty percent of women report experiencing sexual and gender-based violence, but we know the actual figure is much higher, as 48% of women do not report such incidents,” she stated.
Muttreja emphasised the changing aspirations of Indian women. “With declining fertility rates, more women want education, jobs, and financial independence. No country has achieved economic progress without significant female participation in the workforce,” she remarked. Yet, India’s female workforce participation remains low, necessitating urgent investments in skill development and higher education.
However, she raised concerns over the emerging rhetoric by political leaders advocating for higher birth rates. “Women cannot be treated as baby-producing machines,” she asserted. “This is not just an Indian phenomenon but a global one, where countries with declining fertility rates seek to control women’s reproductive choices. We must respect women’s reproductive and sexual rights and not let policymakers dictate them.”
The discussion took a political turn as Dhawan pointed out recent statements by Indian politicians advocating for larger families. Muttreja responded with a pointed observation: “Look at the number of women in Parliament—we have barely 14% representation. If we had more women leaders, would they be making these statements? I doubt it.”
She stressed that reproductive rights must remain a woman’s choice and not be dictated by political or religious agendas. “Earlier, governments told women to have fewer children, now they want them to have more. Women’s bodies are not switches to be turned on and off for political convenience,” she added.
Dhawan also recounted a harrowing interview she conducted with Shaira Banu, a woman from Uttarakhand, who was a victim of instant triple talaq and had endured multiple forced abortions. Her case ultimately led to the Supreme Court’s landmark decision banning the practice. “While she did have a happy ending, this is not true for many, many women,” Dhawan noted.
Muttreja underscored the widespread acceptance of domestic violence in India, pointing to national data that revealed a staggering number of women believe it is legitimate for a partner to beat them. “A woman could be beaten because the food is cold, because the chapati is not round enough, or simply because the man imagines she is having a relationship. The normalisation of violence is deeply troubling,” she remarked.
She further highlighted the extreme form of GBV—sex selection. “We discriminate against girls even before they are born. The sex ratios in India are shameful and reflect the attitudes we have toward women,” she said, stressing that gender discrimination is entrenched in both cultural and institutional structures.
Technology presents both opportunities and challenges in gender discourse. Curtis pointed out, “Certainly, technology has a huge potential to reach more people, but we also have to be cautious about echo chambers, AI hallucinations, and misinformation.” He referenced studies where artificial intelligence amplified existing gender biases instead of mitigating them. This underscores the importance of ethical AI frameworks and readiness assessments, areas in which UNESCO is actively engaged.
Beyond digital platforms, technology is being harnessed to educate teachers and parents. Muttreja highlighted a 16-hour online course designed to equip educators and parents with resources on sensitive topics. “We provide teachers with materials, FAQs, and videos to help them engage with students on difficult issues,” she said, underlining the need for informed mentorship in schools and homes.
Interestingly, Muttreja pointed to Indian cinema as a powerful force shaping societal norms. “Hindi films have a huge influence on behaviour, and when filmmakers create gender-sensitive content, the impact is profound,” she observed. The intersection of entertainment and education presents an untapped avenue for fostering progressive gender narratives.
A crucial question from the audience addressed the integration of healthcare into fundamental rights. While acknowledging the significance of legal frameworks, Muttreja stressed that laws alone are insufficient without proper implementation. “We need good infrastructure, accountability, and community participation,” she asserted. She cited the National Rural Health Mission, where community action played a pivotal role in holding healthcare systems accountable, particularly benefiting women.
Overall, the discussion highlighted the need for continuous policy interventions to ensure equitable access to education and health resources for women. While India has made significant progress, the panellists agreed that sustained efforts in skill development, workforce participation, and the protection of reproductive rights are critical to ensuring women’s empowerment. As Muttreja aptly put it, “Women’s Day cannot be just one day—it has to be every day.”
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