Marking International Women’s Day, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar used her first address in the Legislative Council to announce a new “come early, go early” initiative designed specifically for women government employees posted in Mumbai. She said the scheme is intended to help women working within the jurisdiction of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation manage their daily travel more comfortably by avoiding the city’s intense peak-hour congestion. The initiative allows women employees to report to work between 9:15 am and 9:45 am and leave earlier in the evening by an equivalent amount of time, offering greater flexibility in their schedules and reducing commuting stress.
During her speech, Pawar also underlined the state government’s broader focus on women’s safety and welfare. She highlighted that initiatives such as Operation Muskan and Operation Shodh have helped authorities trace and rescue thousands of missing women and children up to early 2026. Strengthening these efforts, she noted that 51 Bharosa Cells along with dedicated Missing Persons Cells are now operational across districts, creating a more responsive and coordinated support system for vulnerable individuals and their families.
Addressing workplace welfare, Pawar said women government employees are now eligible for 180 days of maternity leave, with the additional option of taking up to one year of leave on half pay. She explained that the policy aims to ensure that women are not forced to choose between professional responsibilities and childcare, reinforcing the government’s commitment to balancing career continuity with family needs.
On economic empowerment, Pawar referred to multiple programmes intended to strengthen women’s financial independence. These include the Ladki Bahin and Lakhpati Didi schemes, as well as the Fourth Women’s Policy, which focuses on eliminating gender-based violence while promoting education, healthcare access, nutrition and overall well-being. She also mentioned digital and marketplace platforms such as Umed Mall and Mahalakshmi Saras, which enable women-led self-help groups to market their products online and expand their customer reach beyond local markets.
The Deputy Chief Minister further emphasised the Adishakti Abhiyan, a campaign aimed at addressing child marriage and reducing school dropout rates among girls, particularly in rural regions. Concluding her remarks, Pawar invoked the legacy of social reformers Savitribai Phule and Ahilyabai Holkar, stating that true empowerment must extend beyond financial assistance to include social respect, dignity, safety and equal opportunity for women in all spheres of life.
