March 8, 2026 marked the global observation of International Women's Day with the theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.' India's government highlighted the philosophy of 'Nari Shakti as the Foundation of Viksit Bharat', reflecting a policy shift from development for women to women-led development.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development organised a Shakti Walk along Kartavya Path in New Delhi, bringing together women from diverse sectors. Key government achievements presented included: over 10.05 crore rural women mobilised into 90 lakh-plus Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM; the Lakhpati Didi initiative targeting 6 crore women earning over ₹1 lakh annually from SHG activities; the Namo Drone Didi Yojana providing 80% subsidy for SHGs to procure agricultural drones; the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam providing 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies; and the ASMITA initiative expanding women's sports participation with nearly 3 lakh women playing across 2,600 leagues in 33 disciplines.

In Rajasthan, IWD 2026 gained special significance given the Rajasthan government's Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, the state's achievements in SHG formation under the Rajasthan Rural Livelihoods Development Council (RRLDC), and the recent Supreme Court judgment declaring menstrual health a fundamental right under Article 21 — all reinforcing gender equality as a constitutional and developmental priority.