The Acting Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Vartika Rawat, has highlighted India’s significant support for women’s empowerment in Nigeria, noting that India now holds the distinction of having the highest number of female pilots in the world.
Ms. Rawat made this known during her welcome address at an event celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) at the Indian High Commission in Abuja on Saturday.
“India has the largest number of female pilots globally. Of the total 11,775 pilots in India, 1,767 are women, representing approximately 15% of the workforce in this demanding industry. This figure significantly surpasses the global average of 5 to 6%,” she stated.
Ms. Rawat further noted that women make up around 36% of India’s information technology (IT) workforce, underscoring their growing influence in the tech sector.
Reflecting on the role of women during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rawat remarked, “Over six million female frontline workers led the fight against COVID-19 in India. Indian women scientists demonstrated remarkable resilience and expertise by developing a COVID-19 vaccine in record time. Furthermore, women scientists played a pivotal role in the success of India’s Mars and Moon missions.”
She also highlighted women’s increasing participation in governance, noting that “there are over 1.45 million women, or 46% of elected representatives, in Panchayati Raj Institutions — well above the mandatory 33% representation.”
Ms. Rawat emphasized that India’s commitment to women’s empowerment focuses on improving women’s social, economic, and political status to ensure equality and dignity in society. Government efforts have included initiatives to promote education, healthcare, and economic independence, as well as enacting laws to combat gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and inequality.
