2 minutes of readingPuneUpdated: Feb 1, 2026 07:21 pm IST
“Whether in healthcare, security or livelihoods, women continue to be asked to do more. This is not how economies grow or demographic dividends are realized,” said Poonam Muttreja, executive director of the Population Foundation of India, adding that women-led development is not a welfare agenda.
“It is fundamental to India’s economic future. If Budget 2026 “If we do not invest decisively in women’s health, safety and care systems, we risk losing our demographic opportunity,” Muttreja said.
He general health allowance increases from Rs 95,957.87 crore to Rs 1,01,709.21 crore, a slight increase of 6%. A comparable increase of 5.81 percent is seen in the National Health Mission. “However, NHM funding for family welfare declines from Rs 1,536.97 crore to Rs 1,524.74 crore, and capital outlays for family welfare fall by 1.65 per cent. These allocations support outreach, training of frontline workers, maternity care and contraception. It is deeply worrying that family welfare allocations are being reduced even as demographic trends show strong regional variation in fertility and needs “Reproductive choice cannot be sustained in stagnant conditions or declining budgets,” Muttreja said.
“When most gender spending is incorporated into general plans, women become invisible beneficiaries. In the absence of clear targeting, intention rarely translates into impact,” Muttreja added.
She also noted that child care and nutrition remains underfunded. Allocations for Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 increase by only 5 per cent. This is inadequate given persistent child malnutrition, the growing need for full-day childcare and the central role anganwadis play in enabling women’s participation in the workforce, she said.
“Anganwadis are expected to be nutrition centers, preschools, health centers and daycare centers, but they are funded as if care is not comprehensive. Women cannot work if daycare systems remain weak,” Muttreja emphasized. She was critical of that too. budget has overlooked the women who form the backbone of India’s healthcare system.
“Nearly a million ASHAs and thousands of ANMs continue to work in conditions of low pay, insecurity and limited professional recognition, even as they take on increasing responsibilities,” he said.