SCO Women's Forum 2026 Held in Bishkek

SCO member states gather in Kyrgyzstan to advance women's leadership and gender equality.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Women's Forum 2026 was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, on 26 June 2026. Member countries discussed women's leadership, gender equality, and women's participation in social and economic life.

About the SCO

The SCO is a Eurasian intergovernmental grouping founded in 2001. Its members include China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

India's Women-Led Development

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi addressed the forum via video message. India showcased women-led development linked with safety, nutrition, and economic participation, citing a network of 100 million women in over 9 million Self-Help Groups, and the Lakhpati Didi initiative under which more than 30 million women reached an annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh.

Key Indian Programmes

Mission Shakti is an umbrella scheme for women's safety, security, and empowerment, while Mission Poshan 2.0 covers nutrition for women, adolescent girls, and children through integrated services.

Important Facts for Exams

  • The SCO Women's Forum 2026 was hosted by Kyrgyzstan, the 2026 rotating chair.
  • The SCO was founded in 2001 and includes eight member states including India.
  • Lakhpati Didi targets ₹1 lakh+ annual income for women in Self-Help Groups.
  • Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan 2.0 are Indian women's welfare and nutrition programmes.

📝 Practice MCQs

1. In which city was the SCO Women's Forum 2026 held?

[A] Astana

[B] Bishkek

[C] Tashkent

[D] Dushanbe

Answer: [B] Bishkek

2. In which year was the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation founded?

[A] 1996

[B] 2001

[C] 2005

[D] 2017

Answer: [B] 2001

3. Which Indian minister addressed the SCO Women's Forum 2026 via video message?

[A] Smriti Irani

[B] Annpurna Devi

[C] Nirmala Sitharaman

[D] Droupadi Murmu

Answer: [B] Annpurna Devi

4. Under which initiative have over 30 million women reached an annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh?

[A] Lakhpati Didi

[B] Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

[C] Ujjwala Yojana

[D] Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Answer: [A] Lakhpati Didi

5. Which of the following is India's umbrella scheme for women's safety and empowerment?

[A] Mission Poshan 2.0

[B] Mission Shakti

[C] Mission Indradhanush

[D] Mission Karmayogi

Answer: [B] Mission Shakti