The Indian government has taken significant steps to empower women, creating opportunities for them to achieve economic independence and enhance their quality of life.
In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the various Women Empowerment Schemes in India, which are a part of government initiatives for the care and security of women in our society.
List of Women Empowerment Schemes in India - 2023
Here is a list of operational schemes that aim to empower women in India:
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme was launched on January 22, 2015, by the Prime Minister of India in Haryana.
The women empowerment scheme aims to ensure the survival, protection, and education of girl children by addressing the declining sex ratio, creating social awareness, and enhancing the efficiency of welfare services developed for girls.
Beneficiaries
This scheme is divided into 3 groups to ensure maximum reach. These are -
Primary Group (young and married couples, pregnant mothers and parents)
Secondary Groups (the youth of India, adolescents, in-laws, doctors, private hospitals, nursing homes, diagnostic centres)
Tertiary Groups (general people of the country, religious leaders, voluntary organisations, frontline workers, officials, media and women SHGs Sector)
Eligibility
A family with a girl child (Indian) below 10 years of age is eligible.
A family with a girl child must have a Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) opened in any nationalised bank.
Documentation
Proof of Address (Passport, utility bills like water, driving licence, telephone, electricity etc.
Birth Certificate of the girl child
Passport size photograph
Proof of Identity of the Parents (Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, etc.)
To promote safe accommodation and environment for working women and provide daycare facilities for their children, the Government of India has introduced the ‘Working Women Hostel Scheme’.
Through this women empowerment scheme, the Government provides grant-in-aid for the construction and new hostel buildings and the extension of an existing building in rented premises.
Beneficiaries
Working Women (single, widowed, married, divorced, separated).
Eligibility
Working women whose husband or immediate family does not reside in the same city/area.
Women undertaking training (not exceeding one year) for a job
The consolidated gross income per month should not cross the limit of ₹50,000 in the metropolitan city and ₹35,000 in other cities.
Documentation
Duly fill-in application form along with a certificate from the employer with all the details of the gross salary, including allowances.
Medical Certificate from a registered practitioner
Identity Proof (PAN/Driving Licence/Pass Port/ Any other valid document issued by Government)
The One Stop Centre Scheme is crucial to the Indian government's women empowerment initiatives. This centrally sponsored scheme is funded through the Nirbhaya fund and is designed to provide 100% central assistance to state governments to protect women affected by gender-based violence in public and private spaces.
The scheme provides emergency medical, legal aid, and counseling services, as well as non-emergency services, all under one roof to combat all forms of violence against women.
When a complaint is registered through SMS or internet, a text message is sent to the appropriate district/area officials such as DPO/PO/CDPO/DYSP/CMO/SHO/DM/SP/PO. If the victim registers the complaint in person or someone else registers it on their behalf, the case details are entered into a system and a unique ID is generated.
Beneficiaries
All women affected by violence, irrespective of class, caste, region, religion, marital status or sexual orientation, can get benefits under the One Stop Centre Scheme.
Eligibility
All women, including girls aged below 18.
Application Process
As this scheme provides shelter, medical assistance, and other services, there is no specific application process.
However, women affected by violence can reach for help by any of the following methods,
By communicating by own self
Through women helpline and other emergency response helpline
Through any person, i.e., public servant (as defined under section 21 of Indian Penal Code, 1860), friend, NGO, relative, volunteer
The Women Helpline Scheme is a government initiative that provides 24x7 emergency responses to women affected by violence in public or private spaces through a single toll-free number (181).
If a victim's call is disconnected or interrupted due to sickness or disability while stating her issue, emergency services will immediately locate and reach her by tracking her address.
Beneficiaries
Any women or girls facing violence or willing to know about various women related schemes or programs.
Application Process
Women facing violence in public or private spaces can seek immediate help or rescue through various means, including telephone (calls, mobile apps, fax messages, SMS/text messaging, landlines) and internet (emails, social networking sites such as web page, Facebook, Twitter,MyGov.in, etc., web-posts, web-interface).
Mahila E-Haat is an online platform launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to allow women entrepreneurs to showcase their products to buyers using mobile and internet connections.
The initiative supports the 'Make in India' program and includes a wide range of products such as clothing, fashion accessories, home decor, pottery, toys, and more.
Beneficiaries
Women entrepreneurs, women self-help groups (SHG), NGOs
The Mahila Police Volunteers scheme was launched in all States and Union Territories by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Home Affairs.
It is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to establish a connection between police authorities and local communities to ensure police outreach on crime cases.
Beneficiaries
Women in India
Eligibility
Women applicants’ age must be 21 years.
Women applicants must have a 12th-grade certificate.
She should belong to the same geographical area (where she is applying for the scheme) and must know the local language.
She should not have any criminal record.
She should not be a member of any political party.
One of the most effective women empowerment schemes in India is the Support to Training and Employment Program for Women (STEP).
Its goal is to provide women with training in skill development and ensure employment opportunities. This government-sponsored scheme offers grants to institutions and organizations to conduct training programs.
Beneficiaries
Marginalised (with special focus on SC/ST households, women-headed households and families below the poverty line), asset-less rural women and urban poor.
Eligibility
Non-government organisations/voluntary organisations registered under the Societies Registration Act or Indian Trust Act.
Co-operative societies are registered under the Co-operative Societies Act.
Women of 16 years of age or above
Institutions or organisations registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860/ Indian Trusts Act, 1882 (Not for Profit)/ other statutes.
Documentation
Copy of Registration Certificate (if any).
Balance sheet, income and expenditure account and receipt and payment account (audited and of the previous 3 years).
Annual Report (previous 3 years).
Document stating that the course follows the stipulations of the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
The SWADHAR Greh scheme is a government initiative to empower women in India by providing them with shelter, food, clothing, and social, economic, and health security.
It also offers legal assistance to women and helps them in readjusting to society.
Beneficiaries
Women prisoners (released but do not have a family)
Women suffering from AIDs, HIV
Homeless women (who survived natural calamity but do not have economic support)
Trafficked women or girls rescued or escaped from a brothel
Women who are deserted and do not have any economic and social support.
Eligibility
Women aged 18 years or above
Documentation
Aadhaar Card and other documents as instructed by the concerned authority
One of the well-known women empowerment schemes in India is the Mahila Shakti Kendra. It is designed to offer comprehensive support services to women to help them develop skills, find job opportunities, and improve their digital literacy.
The scheme operates at various levels, such as national, state, and district levels, and the government aims to establish 920 Mahila Shakti Kendras in the 115 most underdeveloped districts.
The National Creche Scheme is a women empowerment initiative introduced by the government for the children of working mothers.
It provides daycare facilities to improve the health and nutrition status of children, promotes their physical, social, and holistic development, and educates parents on enhancing childcare methods and techniques.
Beneficiaries
Children of working women.
Eligibility
Children aged between 6 months to 6 years.
Working women of both rural and urban areas must be employed for at least 15 days in a month or 6 months in a year.
Documentation
Birth Certificate
Identity card or any document stating that the applicant children’s mother has been a part of a public organisation for the last 6 months
Conclusion
The Indian government has introduced various schemes to empower women and provide them with opportunities for growth and safety. These initiatives aim to address issues such as gender inequality, violence against women, and access to education and healthcare. Through schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Working Women Hostel, One-Stop Centre, Women Helpline, Mahila Police Volunteers, and many more, the government is actively working towards creating a more inclusive and secure environment for women in India.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many schemes are there in India for women?
There are about 10 widely known and implemented schemes introduced for the welfare of women. Some of these schemes are - Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme, Working Women Hostel Scheme, One-Stop Centre Scheme and more.
2. What are the schemes for women empowerment in India?
There are several government schemes for women, including Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Swadhar Greh, STEP, Ujjwala Yojana and many more.
3. What are the 5 types of women empowerment?
Following are the five types of women empowerment:
Economic Empowerment
Political Empowerment
Social Empowerment
Legal Empowerment
Psychological Empowerment
4. In which year was the women development programme started in India?
The women empowerment scheme in India was launched on 22nd January 2015.
5. What schemes are introduced under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme?
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme introduced several schemes such as the Ladli scheme, Kanyashree Prakalpa Yojana, Sukanya Samridhi Yojana, Balika Samridhi Yojana, Ladli Laxmi Yojana, and Dhanalakshmi scheme among others.
6. What services are offered under the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche scheme?
The National Creche Scheme provides daycare services, early stimulation, and preschool education for children aged 0-6. It also offers supplementary nutrition, growth monitoring, health check-ups, immunisation, drinking water and sanitary facilities, and a First Aid Kit.
Disclaimer
Investment and securities are subject to market risks. Please read all the related documents carefully before investing. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only, and not to be taken as a recommendation to buy or sell securities, mutual funds, or any other financial products.
