Women’s Participation in the Cooperative Sector Critical: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the importance of the ICA Global Cooperative Conference, stating that it would provide valuable insights for advancing India’s cooperative movement.

Addressing the event, PM Modi noted that while cooperatives are a global model, they hold deeper significance in India, where they are woven into the cultural fabric and everyday life.

“This is the first time the ICA Global Cooperative Conference is being hosted in India. We are expanding the cooperative movement across the nation. The conference will offer crucial insights to shape the future of India’s cooperative journey while contributing a 21st-century perspective to the global cooperative movement. Globally, cooperatives serve as a model; in India, they are the foundation of our culture and lifestyle,” PM Modi remarked.

The Prime Minister underscored the role of morality in the success of cooperatives, citing Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings. “Mahatma Gandhi believed that the success of cooperatives lies not in the number of members but in their moral development. Morality ensures decisions are made in the best interest of humanity,” he explained.

PM Modi also emphasized the critical role of women’s participation in the cooperative sector, asserting that societies empowering women achieve faster progress. He highlighted amendments made by the BJP-led government to the Multi-State Cooperative Society Act, requiring the inclusion of women directors in cooperative management.

“A society that provides greater participation to women experiences faster growth. In India, over 60% of the cooperative sector is led by women. To further this, we have mandated the inclusion of women directors in cooperative management through amendments to the Multi-State Cooperative Society Act,” he said.

Also read: DUSU Elections Results: NSUI Wins President, ABVP VP

During the event, the Prime Minister also released commemorative postal stamps to mark the International Year of Cooperatives 2025, reflecting India’s commitment to promoting the cooperative movement on a global scale.