The Impact of International Commitments on Women’s Rights in India: An Analysis of Progress and Persistent Challenges

India has undertaken significant international commitments to promote and protect women’s rights through instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These global frameworks have influenced India’s constitutional, legislative, judicial, and policy responses towards gender equality. Despite these commitments, women in India continue to face persistent challenges in education, healthcare, economic participation, political representation, and protection from gender-based violence. This paper critically examines the impact of international commitments on women’s rights in India by analysing legislative reforms, judicial interventions, policy initiatives, and advocacy efforts undertaken in response to global obligations. It explores key developments such as gender-sensitive legislation, landmark judicial pronouncements, political reservations, educational initiatives, economic empowerment schemes, and reproductive health policies. At the same time, the paper highlights enduring implementation gaps arising from socio-cultural barriers, inadequate enforcement mechanisms, and institutional limitations, particularly affecting rural and marginalised women. The paper underscores the role of civil society and international accountability mechanisms in advancing women’s rights and argues for sustained, context-sensitive strategies, strengthened institutional frameworks, and effective enforcement to achieve substantive gender equality and women’s empowerment in India.