Power & Purpose: How Women in Government Are Reshaping Public Policy

Women are no longer waiting for their turn in the halls of power, where choices that influence entire countries are made. They are taking the lead, making changes, and implementing purpose-driven governance. Women in government throughout India are shattering stereotypes and promoting more inclusive, compassionate, and forward-thinking public policies.
This is transformation, not merely advancement.

Redesigning the Policy Playbook

For many years, a male-centric perspective dominated the development of public policy in India. Today, however, the narrative is being led by women in the civil service, parliament, and ministries. And the change is evident: policies are starting to prioritize the community, be more equitable, and be socially conscious.

Consider, for instance:

• Under the direction of Smriti Irani, Union Minister for Women & Child Development, initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and Poshan Abhiyaan have improved child nutrition and gender equality in all states.
• The Ministry of MSME’s National Advisor, Dr. Teena Kapoor, has spearheaded national programs supporting women-led businesses and revolutionizing the empowerment of micro and small businesses throughout India.
• IAS officer Rohini Sindhuri simplified housing, sanitation, and urban planning with a strong gender perspective, revolutionizing municipal governance in Karnataka.
• Former Health Secretary Preeti Sudan was instrumental in managing the initial phases of the COVID-19 response and in the creation of India’s National Health Policy.

These leaders represent a growing tribe of women reshaping policy from the inside out.

The Numbers Show the Momentum (and the Challenge)

While women’s leadership in Indian government is growing, it remains a work in progress:

• Only 14.4% of Lok Sabha MPs and 11.6% of Rajya Sabha membersare women. (PRC, 2024)
• Just 9.5% of India’s bureaucrats are women, though 33% of recent UPSC toppers are female.
• As of 2023, India had nearly 2 million elected women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions, thanks to constitutional reservations, making it one of the largest participations of women in local governance globally.
• Countries with higher women’s representation in government—such as Finland, Rwanda, and New Zealand—report higher trust in institutions, better social policy outcomes, and more gender-sensitive budgeting. India is catching up.

How Women Are Changing the Policy Lens

Women in governance are not only advocating for representation—they’re changing how governance functions.

• Community-Centered Decision-Making​ : Women tend to prioritize health, education, sanitation, and child welfare, addressing the most urgent grassroots needs.
• Gender-Inclusive Budgeting​ : Ministries led by women are more likely to integrate gender analysis into fiscal planning.
• Transparency & Accountability: Multiple studies show women in leadership positions are associated with reduced corruption​ and better delivery of welfare programs.
• Innovation in Policy Execution​ : From digitizing citizen services to deploying mobile clinics, women bureaucrats are pushing tech-enabled reforms to the last mile.

In short, when women lead, policies don’t just look good on paper, they work on the ground.

Sites That Honor & Promote This Leadership

Seldom do these changemakers look for attention. However, they are deserving of it and more. In order to honor women in governance who are subtly influencing India’s future, the Women Leaders Summit & Awards 2025 – India will be held at Alila Diwa from October 14 to 16. Policymakers, ministers, bureaucrats, and grassroots leaders come together for this summit to exchange ideas, work together on projects, and acknowledge the impact of well-executed policy.

It is a movement that promotes bravery, vision, and a common goal rather than merely an event.

Why This Moment Matters

India stands at a critical point in its development story. As the economy grows, climate challenges intensify, and social shifts accelerate, the need for balanced, inclusive, and empathetic policy-making has never been greater.

And that’s where women in government step in—with fresh perspectives, lived experiences, and the moral clarity to put people first.

The journey isn’t easy. But it’s happening—one reform, one leader, one policy at a time.

👉 Be part of the conversation. Learn more at india.womenleadersasia.com.