In a landmark move, the Kerala Cabinet has greenlit the Women’s Policy 2026, a comprehensive framework aimed at ensuring gender justice across the state. Health and Women and Child Development Minister Veena George announced the approval, highlighting its focus on inclusivity and equality.
This policy stands out as the first of its kind in India, explicitly incorporating measures to protect the dignity and welfare of elderly citizens. With Kerala’s aging population now at 16.5% of the total and projected to reach 23% by 2036, the policy addresses a pressing demographic shift.
Crafted by an 11-member Gender Council under the Women and Child Development Department, the policy emerged from nine meetings, a seminar, consultations with 72 experts on eight key themes, and feedback from around 300 women across diverse regions.
At its core, Women’s Policy 2026 seeks to eradicate discrimination based on caste, religion, and gender, promoting equal participation for women in all societal spheres. It emphasizes balanced representation in governance, law-making bodies, and decision-making committees.
Key initiatives include advancing gender justice in employment, education, and healthcare; providing special protections for elderly women amid changing demographics; and strengthening mechanisms to prevent violence against women. The policy also mandates strict action against online hate and cyberbullying.
To create safe environments in cinema and media, recommendations from the Hema Committee will be implemented. Oversight will come from a State Gender Monitoring Committee chaired by the Chief Minister, with each government department appointing a Gender Resource Person for effective execution.
This forward-thinking policy not only addresses immediate challenges but sets a blueprint for sustainable gender equity in Kerala, potentially serving as a model for other states.