Digital technology empowers women and children nationwide

Source: The post Digital technology empowers women and children nationwide has been created, based on the article “Using tech to empower women and children” published in “The Hindu” on 2nd July 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1- Social empowerment. GS2- Vulnerable sections of the population

Context: The Ministry of Women and Child Development is using digital technology to ensure inclusive access to services. Aligned with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, its efforts focus on delivering rights, protection, and opportunities to women and children efficiently.

For detailed information on India needs to double down on bridging its digital gender gap read this article here

Digital Inclusion as a Foundation for Empowerment

1. Improved Service Delivery: Technology enables swift and transparent implementation of schemes. Digital tools and real-time systems help deliver benefits to the last mile.
2. Focus on Rights and Growth:,The Ministry ensures access to nutrition, education, protection, and legal entitlements, aiming to empower women and children as leaders and change-makers.

Transforming Anganwadis into Digital Hubs

1. Saksham Anganwadi Initiative: Over 2 lakh Anganwadi centres are being upgraded with smart infrastructure, digital devices, and learning tools to improve service delivery.
2. Real-Time Data via Poshan Tracker:, Integration of 14 lakh centres enables real-time monitoring of services for over 10.14 crore beneficiaries, including pregnant women, mothers, and children.
3. Training for Workers: Anganwadi workers are equipped with smartphones and digital training, ensuring better service delivery and early childhood education.
4. Leakage Reduction: A facial recognition system ensures that only eligible people receive benefits under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme.

Technology for Women’s Safety and Support

1. SHe-Box Portal: Offers a single-window platform for women to report workplace sexual harassment and track complaints online.
2. Mission Shakti App and Dashboard: Connects distressed women to the nearest one-stop centres, now present in nearly every district.
3. Ensuring Dignity and Access: These platforms offer quick and transparent support, promoting justice, safety, and dignity.

Maternal Welfare through Digital Delivery

1. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana: Provides ₹5,000 for the first child and ₹6,000 for a second girl child. So far, ₹19,000 crore has reached over 4 crore women via Direct Benefit Transfer.
2. Transparent and Paperless:,Uses Aadhaar-based registration, doorstep help, and real-time dashboards with grievance redressal for trust and accountability.

Digitising Child Protection and Adoption

1. Efficient Adoption via CARINGS Portal: The Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System streamlines adoption under the Juvenile Justice Act, ensuring transparency and ease.
2. Monitoring Child Care Services: Digital platforms help track child care institutions, foster placements, and rights violations, while Mission Vatsalya improves coordination across agencies.

Tangible Impact of Digital Reform

1. Improved Indicators: Sex Ratio at Birth increased from 918 (2014–15) to 930 (2023–24). Maternal Mortality Rate dropped from 130 to 97 per 1,000 births.
2. Technology-Driven Governance: The Ministry has championed digital transformation, aligning governance with purpose and measurable results.

Question for practice:

Examine how digital technology has enhanced the delivery of welfare schemes for women and children in India.