Women empowerment initiatives in India
Women empowerment initiatives in India
Even though India achieved freedom in 1947, it’s been a struggle for women and girls to fight for their independence. Women are expected to follow the rules laid down by society and our families.
Right from the way we walk, to the way we talk, we are judged, micro-managed on what to do and what not to do. We are also pushed towards doing what an ideal woman would do.
And this ideology hampers the freedom of the women laying down restrictions in their paths. Martin Foundation believes that the real growth of our society is directly proportional to the freedom of women. Only when the backward mindset of a certain section of the society will change, will we be able to experience growth and move forward in achieving a global status for our country.
And this ideology hampers the freedom of the women laying down restrictions in their paths. Martin Foundation believes that the real growth of our society is directly proportional to the freedom of women. Only when the backward mindset of a certain section of the society will change, will we be able to experience growth and move forward in achieving a global status for our country.
The Indian Government has also introduced various reforms to uplift the status of women in our country.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Launched in January 2015, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao aims to spread awareness and ensure that every girl child gets to exercise equal rights. Though inaugurated as a step towards the declining Child Sex Ratio, it is now working towards propagating equality in education, eliminating gender-biased at the workplace, and protecting the girl child.
Mahila Shakti Kendra: In 2017, the government launched Mahila Shakti Kendra as an effort to empower rural women by providing them opportunities to develop skills that enable them to get employed. The program also covers the aspect of digital literacy, health, and nutrition.
Under this program, the Mahila Shakti Kendras work through community engagement via student volunteers in the 115 most backward districts. The program works at National, State, District, and Block Levels.
Working Women Hostel: The Indian Government established a Working Women Hostel to ensure the availability of safe, convenient accommodation for those women working outside their town. These hostels also offer daycare facilities for their kids, in urban, semi-urban, and rural settings
Under this program, support is provided for the construction of new hostels and the expansion of old hostels in and across our country.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: A part of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a savings scheme for girl children backed by the government. The account can be opened at a post office or bank after the birth of the girl child and till she turns 10.
The girl child is eligible to use the account once she turns 10 and can withdraw 50% of the balance for a college education at 18.
One Stop Centre Scheme: A centrally sponsored scheme, the One Stop Centre Scheme is funded via the Nirbhaya Fund. The state government gets 100% assistance from the centre to protect those women affected by violence in public and private spaces. This provides emergency assistance, legal aid, and counseling.