By Ishan Verma, Founder & Editor Theexamhub.in | June 26, 2026
In a strong reaffirmation of its commitment to regional cooperation and gender equality, India participated in the high-profile SCO Women’s Forum 2026 held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Addressing the international forum via a video message, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annpurna Devi, emphasized that women are not merely beneficiaries of economic growth but its most powerful drivers. This perspective lies at the heart of India’s vision of ‘Women-Led Development’ and its national target of achieving a *Viksit Bharat* (Developed India) by 2047.
The ministerial address highlight’s India’s growing engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). By aligning regional development goals with gender-inclusive economic strategies, India aims to foster economic resilience across the Eurasian region.
Core Pillars Presented at the SCO Women’s Forum 2026
- Sovereign Commitment: Reaffirmed India’s dedication to the SCO principles of mutual respect, equality, and consensus.
- Lakhpati Didi Achievement: Highlighted that over 30 million rural women have successfully transition to *Lakhpati Didis* (earning over Rs 1 lakh annually).
- Mass Mobilization: Showcased the impact of over 9 million Self-Help Groups (SHGs) uniting nearly 100 million women across India.
- Flagship Schemes: Presented *Mission Shakti* and *Mission Poshan 2.0* as the dual pillars securing safety, care, and nutritional security.
- Regional Knowledge Sharing: Reaffirmed India’s willingness to share its policy models and technical expertise with fellow SCO partner nations.
Socio-Economic Development: Women as Core Drivers
The primary focus of the SCO Women’s Forum 2026 was the panel session titled “Role of Women in Economic Development.” Smt. Annpurna Devi emphasized that women’s financial inclusion is critical for sustainable development. She explained that traditional welfare-centric approaches are being replaced by programmatic models that encourage active entrepreneurship and leadership among women.
The Minister explained that when women gain access to capital and vocational training, the developmental benefits are shared broadly within their communities. By positioning women-led development as a key component of India’s economic goals, the government seeks to ensure that the journey toward a developed nation is inclusive and sustainable.
To read more about central policies on gender-inclusive development, visit the official website of the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The Power of Grassroots: Self-Help Groups and Lakhpati Didis
A major outcome shared at the SCO Women’s Forum 2026 was the success of India’s rural self-help group movement. Today, nearly 100 million women are organized into more than 9 million Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). This grassroots network has provided women with access to credit, market linkages, and entrepreneurial training.
The program has led to the emergence of over 30 million *Lakhpati Didis*. These are self-help group members who have established stable livelihoods, earning a net annual income of over Rs 1 lakh. This massive movement has helped improve financial independence, household nutrition, and children’s education in rural areas, serving as a scalable reference model for other SCO member nations.
The Structural Pillars: Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0
These domestic initiatives, highlighted during the SCO Women’s Forum 2026, show the comprehensive nature of India’s gender policies. The government’s approach combines physical safety with nutritional security through dedicated national missions:
- Mission Shakti: A unified umbrella scheme designed to strengthen women’s safety, security, and empowerment. It operates through *Sambal* (for safety and protection) and *Samarthya* (for economic empowerment) components, providing legal aid, shelters, and skill training.
- Mission Poshan 2.0: Focuses on maternal nutrition, infant feeding practices, and wellness. By improving nutritional outcomes for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young children, the scheme helps establish a strong foundation for future human capital.
Fostering Cooperation in the SCO Region
The participation of India in the SCO Women’s Forum 2026 is highly relevant for Eurasian regional geopolitics. The SCO, comprising major nations such as Russia, China, and several Central Asian Republics, provides a valuable platform for multilateral engagement. India’s willingness to share its experiences with SHGs and rural credit systems offers a cooperative framework for supporting women’s financial inclusion across Central Asia.
The forum’s focus on the role of women in economic development aligns with the *Bishkek Declaration*, which advocates for balanced socio-economic growth. By establishing close ties with SCO partners through shared development programs, India continues to support regional stability and inclusive growth.
Relevance for UPSC and State PSC Aspirants
For candidates preparing for competitive exams, the SCO Women’s Forum 2026 is an informative case study on regional cooperation and social sector programs. Additional policy reviews can be found in our National News and Policy Section.
UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) Syllabus
- GS Paper II (International Relations): Bilateral, regional, and global groupings involving India and affecting India’s interests (SCO cooperation, plurilateral diplomacy).
- GS Paper II (Social Justice): Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes (SHGs, Mission Shakti, Poshan 2.0).
State PSC (CGPSC/State Exams) Syllabus
- Social Welfare Programs: Implementation of rural livelihood schemes, women-led co-operatives, and infant healthcare targets at the state level.
- International Forums: India’s role in major international organizations, regional security dialogues, and sustainable development summits.
Quick Revision Table: SCO Women’s Forum
| Key Parameter | Details of the Forum & Presentation |
|---|---|
| Event | SCO Women’s Forum 2026 |
| Location & Date | Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic; June 26, 2026 |
| Indian Representative | Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women & Child Development |
| Core Theme Addressed | The Role of Women in Economic Development (Women-Led Development) |
| Key India Metric | 9 million SHGs (100 million women) and 30 million Lakhpati Didis |
| Flagship Schemes Cited | Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the main focus of the SCO Women’s Forum 2026?
The primary focus of the SCO Women’s Forum 2026 in Bishkek was to discuss the “Role of Women in Economic Development,” emphasizing that women’s financial inclusion and leadership are essential for stable regional growth.
2. Who represented India at the SCO Women’s Forum 2026?
Smt. Annpurna Devi, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, represented India at the forum, delivering the country’s opening remarks via a video message.
3. What are “Lakhpati Didis” and how many are there in India?
“Lakhpati Didis” are members of rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs) who have successfully established sustainable livelihoods, earning a net annual income of over Rs 1 lakh. India has currently empowered over 30 million women to achieve this milestone.
4. What are Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0?
Mission Shakti is an umbrella scheme aimed at strengthening women’s safety, security, and economic empowerment. Mission Poshan 2.0 is a national nutrition program designed to improve health outcomes for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and young children.
5. Which countries are part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?
The SCO is a major Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance that includes India, Russia, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran, among others.
Conclusion
Ultimately, India’s active participation in the SCO Women’s Forum 2026 shows its focus on linking domestic achievements with regional cooperation. By presenting scalable models like the self-help group movement and the Lakhpati Didi initiative, India has shared practical solutions for rural development within the SCO region. As member nations work to navigate modern economic challenges, cooperative frameworks focused on women-led development will remain essential for securing inclusive, long-term growth across Eurasia.
