‘What patriarchy is stopping you today?’: Nirmala Sitharaman urges women to embrace opportunities in society
Nirmala Sitharaman also questioned the extent to which “patriarchy” should be held responsible for limitations in women’s careers.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and MoS for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary pose for pictures with the staff of M/s Sai Ram Engineering, an MSME located in Peenya Industrial Area of Bengaluru. (PTI Photo)Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday challenged conventional views on patriarchy and encouraged young women to embrace the support systems in place and confidently assert themselves in professional and public spaces. The minister’s remarks came during an interactive session with students in Bengaluru, where she addressed topics ranging from financial inclusion to women’s empowerment in India.
She was responding to a question that expressed concerns about the persistence of patriarchal structures and the challenges women face in reaching their goals.
In response, Sitharaman questioned the extent to which “patriarchy” should be held responsible for limitations in women’s careers. “What patriarchy is stopping you today?” she asked, citing examples of prominent Indian women leaders who have shattered barriers, from former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to contemporary female scientists at ISRO and freedom fighters like Sarojini Naidu.
She emphasized that many Indian women have achieved significant positions despite societal constraints, suggesting that narratives focusing solely on patriarchy might overshadow the progress and opportunities available to women in India.
Sitharaman said, “I want to appeal to all the young minds to not get carried away by the jargons like ‘patriarchy stopping us’. Women are sending such wonderful satellites, rockets and spaceships and most of those women wear saree, have clumsy hair etc. Which patriarchy stopped these scientists here?”
The minister acknowledged that challenges remain but argued that India is uniquely positioned to support women’s ambitions through policies, family support, and community networks, resources that many other countries lack.
Sitharaman also emphasized on the central government’s active support for innovation. “Since 2016, policies have been introduced to simplify patent applications for startups and MSMEs, reduce associated fees, and prioritize the process for these smaller innovators. Additionally, platforms like the Government e-Marketplace (GEM) prioritize procurement from MSMEs, with women-led enterprises being given special dispensation. Almost 40 per cent of all government procurement today comes from small producers. This infrastructure not only supports innovation but also ensures products have a market, enabling MSMEs to grow. Thanks to this support, India now has over two lakh startups, with more than 13 unicorns,” she said.
Sitharaman also highlighted India’s strides in financial inclusion that is allowing several small-scale users across the country to access digital services and markets beyond borders. “For example, during my visit to Nagaland, I saw local artisans selling handicrafts directly to the US through digital platforms. This is possible due to a borderless digital network, enabling everyone, even in remote regions, to participate in the global economy,” said the finance minister.
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