The Indian government has implemented several schemes aimed at empowering women and improving their socio-economic status across various sectors such as health, education, entrepreneurship, safety, and financial inclusion. These schemes are designed to address the challenges women face and to ensure they have equal opportunities for growth and development. Below is a comprehensive explanation of major Government Schemes for Women in India, covered in about 1000 words.
1. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Launched in 2015, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) is a flagship initiative aimed at combating the declining child sex ratio and promoting the education of girls.
Key Objectives:
- Prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
- Ensure survival and protection of the girl child.
- Ensure education and participation of the girl child.
Implementation:
This scheme is a tri-ministerial effort of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Education. It spreads awareness and improves efficiency in welfare services intended for girls in India.
2. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana is a maternity benefit program for pregnant and lactating women. The aim is to provide partial wage compensation and promote good nutrition and health.
Benefits:
- A cash incentive of ₹5,000 is provided in three installments.
- It encourages early registration of pregnancy and institutional delivery.
- It promotes breastfeeding and immunization of the child.
Eligibility:
- Women above 19 years of age.
- Applies to the first living child of the family.
3. Mahila E-Haat
Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Mahila E-Haat is an online platform to promote female entrepreneurship.
Features:
- It allows women entrepreneurs to display their products/services online.
- No middlemen; direct contact between buyer and seller.
- Easy registration and access to digital marketing.
This initiative supports the Digital India and Startup India campaigns.
4. One Stop Centre Scheme (Sakhi Centres)
This scheme provides a single-window support system for women affected by violence.
Services Offered:
- Police assistance
- Medical aid
- Legal aid and counseling
- Psycho-social support
- Temporary shelter
Each center is linked to hospitals and police stations to offer 24/7 support.
5. Working Women Hostel Scheme
The Working Women Hostel Scheme aims to provide safe and affordable accommodation to working women, especially those who are single, widowed, or separated.
Key Benefits:
- Safe housing in urban and semi-urban areas.
- Day-care facilities for children of working women.
- Secure environments that promote economic independence.
6. Ujjawala Scheme
The Ujjawala Scheme is a comprehensive initiative to combat human trafficking, especially for commercial sexual exploitation.
Objectives:
- Prevention through community involvement and awareness.
- Rescue and rehabilitation of victims.
- Reintegration and repatriation (for cross-border victims).
This scheme ensures psychological, legal, and economic support for survivors.
7. Stand Up India Scheme
Stand Up India promotes entrepreneurship among women, SC/STs by offering bank loans ranging from ₹10 lakhs to ₹1 crore.
Key Features:
- Facilitates bank loans for setting up new enterprises.
- One woman entrepreneur per bank branch is encouraged.
- Includes handholding support, training, and mentorship.
It empowers women economically and encourages job creation.
8. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Introduced under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, this savings scheme targets parents of girl children.
Benefits:
- High-interest rate (usually higher than PPF).
- Tax benefits under 80C of the Income Tax Act.
- Can be opened in the name of a girl child below 10 years of age.
- Maturity at 21 years or upon marriage after 18.
It’s an excellent tool for future educational or marriage-related financial planning.
9. Swadhar Greh Scheme
This scheme provides shelter, food, clothing, and care to women in difficult circumstances, such as survivors of domestic violence, widows, and trafficking victims.
Objectives:
- To rehabilitate women socially and economically.
- Provide vocational training and legal support.
- Prepare women for self-dependence and dignity.
Each Swadhar Greh can house around 30 women and their children.
10. Nari Shakti Puraskar
While not a scheme in the traditional sense, the Nari Shakti Puraskar is a national award recognizing exceptional work done by individuals and institutions for women empowerment.
Purpose:
- Celebrate women achievers.
- Encourage others to work towards gender equality.
Presented annually on International Women’s Day (March 8), it reflects the government’s commitment to women’s development.
11. National Scheme for Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)
This scheme encourages girls from SC/ST communities to enroll and complete secondary education.
Features:
- A one-time grant of ₹3,000 is deposited in the name of eligible girls.
- Amount is paid after the girl turns 18 and passes 10th standard.
- Helps reduce dropout rates.
12. MUDRA Yojana for Women
While MUDRA Yojana is for all micro-entrepreneurs, there are special interest rate concessions and encouragement for women applicants.
Categories:
- Shishu: Up to ₹50,000
- Kishore: ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh
- Tarun: ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh
Women are encouraged to start small businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, or services.
13. Digital Laado Initiative
A relatively new scheme in some states, this initiative trains young women in digital literacy, coding, and online entrepreneurship.
Aim:
- Empower women in rural areas with digital tools.
- Provide job-ready digital skills.
Though this is not a central scheme, it complements existing government efforts under Digital India.
14. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)
This conditional cash transfer scheme aims at improving the health and nutrition status of pregnant and lactating mothers.
Benefits:
- Provides ₹6,000 to women for wage compensation and nutritional needs.
- Encourages safe delivery and breastfeeding.
This scheme is merged with PMMVY in many places for better implementation.
15. Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)
Launched in 2018, this mission aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Goals:
- Reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight.
- Promote behavioral change through community participation.
It uses technology and mobile monitoring to ensure real-time tracking of progress.
Conclusion
The Indian government’s approach to women empowerment is holistic, focusing on education, health, financial independence, safety, and digital inclusion. By providing women with opportunities and support systems, these schemes aim to build a more inclusive and progressive society.
However, while the schemes are well-designed, their effectiveness depends on awareness, grassroots implementation, and timely delivery of benefits. Continued monitoring, regular audits, and community involvement are essential to ensure that every Indian woman benefits from these life-changing programs.
