| Though all political parties are vying to win over this demographic, recent voting trends indicate a strong preference among women for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. This shift, noticeable since 2014 and reinforced after 2017, has been bolstered by the double-engine governments commitment to women-centric initiatives over the past seven years. The Yogi administration has implemented schemes addressing various stages of a girls life — from birth through education to marriage — while promoting programmes fostering womens self-reliance. Furthermore, the improved law and order situation in the state has given women a newfound sense of security, enabling them to live without fear. Consequently, the female labour force participation rate has surged to 32.10 per cent. All these facts, coupled with the experience during the recent elections in the state, suggest female voters leaning towards the double-engine government. Notably, of the states total 15.34 crore voters, 7.17 crore are women, underscoring their potential as a decisive electoral force. Over the past seven years, the Yogi administration has consistently prioritised women empowerment through several policies and initiatives. Notably, women are actively engaged as equal stakeholders in employment-related programmes. The Mudra Yojana, for instance, has emerged as a catalyst for nurturing female entrepreneurship, particularly among economically disadvantaged segments. Approximately 70 per cent of total loans disbursed nationwide are allocated to women beneficiaries. Moreover, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana has facilitated the integration of women into self-help groups and rural organisations across the country. The support extended under the National Livelihood Mission has witnessed a substantial increase, with assistance provided in the last seven years surpassing the figures of the preceding five years by nearly thirteenfold. Additionally, the permissible loan amount for self-help groups has been doubled, now at Rs 20 lakh compared to the previous limit of Rs 10 lakh. Women-led self-help groups play a pivotal role in 80,000 ration shops across the state, further underscoring their integral role in fostering economic empowerment and community development. Uttar Pradesh has distinguished itself as the leading state nationwide in delivering justice for crimes involving women and children. The government has undertaken efforts to streamline regulations, enabling women to work night shifts easily and eliminating previous restrictions on their employment in mines. Moreover, the Mukhya Mantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana provides support for the marriages of daughters from impoverished families, extending its reach to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Minorities, Other Backward Classes, and economically disadvantaged families from the general category. Widows and divorcees are also eligible for the schemes benefits, with a provision of Rs 51,000 allocated per couple. Furthermore, impoverished women receive a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 per head, with the current count at 32.71 lakh beneficiaries. These initiatives underscore the governments commitment to ensuring justice, empowerment, and support for vulnerable segments of the society. A significant portion of the population has been galvanised, empowered, and rendered self-sufficient. An initiative has been instituted to offer financial aid to women and girls who have suffered egregious crimes, with compensation disbursed to 7,105 individuals thus far. To bolster womens organisation, empowerment, and self-reliance, over one crore women from rural households have been encompassed through the formation of 8.37 lakh self-help groups. Furthermore, womens self-help groups have been allocated 1,840 fair-price shops under the public distribution system, and they are now entrusted with preparing nutritious meals at Anganwadi centres. The Yogi governments Banking Correspondent Sakhi Yojana has emerged as a paragon of financial inclusion, with BC Sakhis ongoing across all 57,000 gram panchayats in the state through various banks. Through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 1.75 crore families in the state have been provided free gas connections. Additionally, complimentary LPG cylinders are distributed during Holi and Diwali festivals. Furthermore, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, a commendable 55.83 lakh houses have been constructed in the state, with a significant portion allocated in the name of Matrishakti. In line with the PM SWANidhi Yojana, loans have been disbursed to 17 lakh street vendors, with over 2 lakh women beneficiaries. The Swachh Bharat Mission has resulted in the construction of 2.61 crore toilets (Izzatghar) in the state, alongside the establishment of 4,500 pink toilets in urban areas. Moreover, through the PM SVAMITVA Yojana (Gharauni), ownership certificates have been provided to 66.59 lakh beneficiaries, predominantly women. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana has extended financial assistance to 54.44 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers. At the same time, the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao scheme has successfully raised awareness among 1.90 crore lakh women and girls. Female voters in Uttar Pradesh exhibit a heightened interest in electoral participation compared to their male counterparts. Their engagement in the voting process has steadily risen, significantly influencing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths electoral success. A notable trend has been witnessed in recent years: women have surpassed men in voter turnout. In 2017, 63.31 per cent of women voters exercised their franchise, which escalated to 67.18 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Over the past three decades, an estimated 15 per cent increase in female voter turnout indicates a growing political awareness and interest among women who are now more politically astute and are emerging as a pivotal voting bank, with their voting behaviour playing a decisive role in election outcomes. Data analysis reveals that parties garnering favour among women voters have successfully secured power. This trend underscores the evolving political landscape where women are actively shaping the democratic process through their electoral participation.

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