Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday reaffirmed his party’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment, outlining proposed welfare measures aimed at improving their social and economic standing in Uttar Pradesh.
In a message posted on his WhatsApp channel, the SP leader stressed what he described as a long-standing dedication to ensuring “full freedom, safety, rights, empowerment, and upliftment” for women.
“We have always been, and will continue to be, firmly committed to ensuring full freedom, safety, rights, empowerment, and upliftment for half the population,” Yadav said, adding that acknowledging women’s role in strengthening families and society enhances both “their dignity and morale.”
आधी आबादी की पूरी आज़ादी व उनकी हिफ़ाज़त के साथ-साथ उनके हक़-अधिकार, सशक्तीकरण व सबलीकरण के लिए हम सब सदैव कटिबद्ध-प्रतिबद्ध रहे हैं और रहेंगे। जब परिवार-समाज और देश को मज़बूत करनेवालों को सम्मान मिलता है तो उनका मान और मनोबल दोनों बढ़ता है।
हम PDA में शामिल ‘A’ मतलब ‘आधी आबादी’… pic.twitter.com/cLY2Hwz6XF
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 23, 2026
Referring to the party’s PDA (Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak) framework, Yadav said the ‘A’ also represents “aadhi abaadi,” or half the population, encompassing women of all age groups. “Every girl child, young woman, and woman deserves equal social and economic respect and the opportunity to stand on her own feet,” he said.
He announced that the party would introduce a proposed “Women’s Respect and Prosperity Scheme” to promote financial independence and overall well-being among women. Additionally, Yadav pledged to revive the “Samajwadi Pension,” a welfare initiative from previous Samajwadi Party governments that provided financial support to economically weaker sections, including women.
“We will bring the ‘Women’s Respect and Prosperity Scheme’ to ensure equal social and economic respect and promote prosperity. We will also reinstate the ‘Samajwadi Pension’ to further strengthen women,” he said, linking these measures to his broader commitment to the “complete development of Uttar Pradesh.”
The Samajwadi Party has historically emphasized welfare-driven governance and social justice, particularly for marginalized communities. The renewed focus on women comes amid intensifying political competition in the state, where parties are increasingly rolling out targeted initiatives such as financial aid, subsidies, and safety measures aimed at women voters.
Yadav’s remarks are seen as part of a broader strategy to consolidate support among women by combining economic assistance with a message of dignity and empowerment, themes likely to remain central to the party’s campaign narrative in the run-up to upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh.