In his seminal work "Krishna: A Sourcebook," American scholar Edwin Bryant, renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the study of Yoga and Sutras, explores the portrayal of women in Hinduism. Chapter 18 of the book underscores the exceptional reverence accorded to women within the Hindu religious framework. Bryant asserts, "Nowhere in the spectrum of world religious traditions, spanning ancient eras to the contemporary age, do we encounter such a pronounced presence of the feminine divine as in the Hindu religious framework." This profound statement highlights the unique veneration of femininity in Hinduism, a sentiment deeply rooted in ancient Vedic scriptures. Notably, the Devīsūktam in the 10th Chapter of the Rigveda proclaims the supreme role of the feminine principle in the cosmos, emphasizing the pivotal importance of the divine feminine in shaping the universe.
These foundational principles have guided the present-day Central government's commitment to promoting 'Nari Shakti' (women empowerment) across various domains. The government's vision for women's empowerment encompasses several key areas:
Enhancing women's economic empowerment.
Improving health and infrastructure facilities for women.
Ensuring quality education for girls.
Fostering social progress and upliftment of women.
Economic Empowerment
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Launched in 2015, the scheme aimed at encouraging skill development through free short-duration training and incentivizing it with monetary rewards for skill certification has achieved remarkable success. Over 59 lakh women have been trained from 2015 to 2022, and 12.51 lakh women candidates have secured employment under this scheme from 2015 to 2023. A testament to its impact is the e-shram portal, which has registered 2.67 crore domestic and household women workers. This initiative has significantly boosted the female labor participation rate, increasing it to 37% in 2022-23.
PM Jan Dhan Yojana
Since its launch in 2014, one of the world's largest financial inclusion initiatives has banked 52.20 crore beneficiaries, creating a balance of INR 231,154.51 crore in their accounts. Remarkably, 29.03 crore of these beneficiaries are female, making up approximately 55.6% of this landmark Direct Benefit Transfer program. The ease of access to banking for women has been further enhanced by the mapping of 13 lakh banking touchpoints on the GIS-based Jan Dhan Darshak App, significantly reducing the tedium and effort for women seeking banking services.
PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
Launched by the Prime Minister on April 8, 2015, this flagship scheme provides micro-credit loans up to INR 10 lakhs for income-generating micro-enterprises, facilitated by Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) including PSBs, private sector banks, MFIs, and NBFCs. For FY 2023-24, a total of INR 532,358.35 crore was disbursed, with INR 222,297.27 crore allocated to women entrepreneurs. Impressively, over 69% of the scheme's beneficiaries are women, significantly enhancing their access to collateral-free institutional credit and aiding their empowerment. Notably, Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) under this scheme have decreased from 3.17% in March 2022 to 2.68% in June 2023.
Udyam Sakhi Portal
In a significant stride towards women's empowerment, the Udyam Sakhi network was established to bolster financial entrepreneurship, innovative business models, and facilitate access to finance for women. As of 2023, this initiative has witnessed the transformation of around 6 lakh women-owned MSMEs into reality. Remarkably, over 1.45 lakh women-led MSMEs have successfully fulfilled 7.32 lakh orders, amounting to a substantial INR 15,922 crore, through the Government e-Marketplace.
PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)
Designed to bolster the financial stability of street vendors, this scheme sets out to provide collateral-free working capital loans of up to INR 10,000 for a tenure of one year to approximately 50 lakh street vendors. With a target of INR 74,96,503 for the first loan cycle until March 2024, this initiative aims to uplift a significant segment of the informal economy. Notably, 43% of the street vendors covered under this scheme are women.
Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme
In a bid to bolster financial security for women and girls, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Scheme during her budget speech for the fiscal year 2023-24. Under this initiative, individuals can deposit up to INR 2 Lakh in the name of women or girls, with a maturity duration of 2 years and a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per annum. Since its inception, approximately 14 lakh Mahila Samman Savings Certificate Accounts have been opened, indicating a positive response to the scheme and highlighting its potential to empower women economically.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Introduced under the Ministry of Finance's auspices, the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) stands as a beacon of financial security exclusively for girl children. Unveiled on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, this scheme aims to incentivize parents to save for their daughters' education and marriage expenses. Offering an attractive interest rate of 8.2%, SSY accounts boast a lengthy maturity period of 21 years. As of February 2024, the scheme has garnered remarkable traction, with over 3.77 Crore accounts registered and a staggering deposit exceeding INR 2.13 Lakh crore.
Lakhpati Didi Yojana
Empowering women economically and fostering sustainable livelihoods lies at the heart of the government's initiatives, particularly through self-help groups (SHGs). These groups not only facilitate financial independence but also champion sustainable practices. Remarkably, over 1 crore women have ascended to the status of 'Lakhpati Didis,' symbolizing the transformative impact of SHGs on household incomes. Under the Namo Drone Didi initiative, 1000 drones have been distributed, further bolstering women's participation in innovative sectors. Additionally, through the National Rural Livelihood Mission, an impressive INR 7.68 Lakh Crore in loans have been disbursed.
Health and Infrastructure
A few snippets of information will set the stage for this conversation better.
Utilization of maternal health services improved substantially between 2005-06 and 2019-20, as evidenced by National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data.
Access to health facilities for giving birth has gone up remarkably over the past 10 years.
Sex ratio at birth (SRB), which is the number of girls for every 1000 boys, notched up steadily from 918 in 2015 to 934 in 2022.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
In a concerted effort to safeguard maternal health and reduce mortality rates among pregnant women, the government initiated a flagship program designed to encourage deliveries in government health facilities. This initiative has proven instrumental in extending vital healthcare services to expectant mothers, with more than 8.55 crore women benefiting from its implementation to date. A notable achievement stemming from this program is the significant decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), plummeting from 130 per lakh in 2014 to 97 per lakh in 2020. This remarkable progress underscores the program's effectiveness in enhancing maternal healthcare access and outcomes, marking a pivotal step towards ensuring the well-being of expectant mothers across the nation.
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) initiative stands as a beacon of support for pregnant women, ensuring their access to essential healthcare services without financial burden. Under this program, pregnant women delivering in public health institutions are entitled to a host of benefits, including free Caesarian section deliveries and an array of complimentary services. These encompass free drugs, consumables, diet provisions, blood supply, and even transportation to and from the health facility. The establishment of Newborn Care Corners (NBCCs) further bolsters this initiative by offering crucial newborn care services right at the delivery points. Additionally, for infants requiring specialized medical attention, Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) have been established across the country.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) stands as a testament to the government's unwavering commitment to maternal healthcare. Launched with the objective of providing comprehensive and quality antenatal care to pregnant women during the crucial stages of their pregnancy, this initiative ensures fixed-day assured services on the 9th of every month. With 20,752 facilities nationwide offering PMSMA services, and 6,813 volunteers registered, the program has made significant strides in expanding access to essential maternal healthcare.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) stands as a cornerstone of the government's commitment to maternal and child welfare. This centrally sponsored Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme offers cash incentives of INR 5000 directly to the bank or post office accounts of pregnant women and lactating mothers. Since its inception, PMMVY has made significant strides, with more than 2.89 crore beneficiaries enrolled and an impressive INR 11,217.39 Crore disbursed under the scheme as of 15th July 2022. The impact of PMMVY extends beyond financial assistance, with notable improvements observed in prenatal care for mothers aged 15-49 and basic immunizations for children over the past decade.
Underlining the government's commitment to women-led development, the BJP-led Centre has prioritized gender-sensitive budgeting, evident in the substantial increase of 38.6% in the Gender Budget for the Interim Budget 2024-25 compared to the previous fiscal year. This surge reflects a monumental 218% increase over the allocation during the UPA regime in 2013-14.
Central Government Schemes for Girl Child
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative, launched by the Government of India in 2015, stands as a beacon of hope in addressing the concerning decline in the child sex ratio and championing the cause of girls' education and empowerment. This flagship scheme boasts a comprehensive array of features aimed at tackling gender discrimination and fostering an environment conducive to the holistic development of girls across the nation.
Key features of BBBP include:
Awareness Campaigns: Leveraging mass media campaigns, rallies, and community mobilization activities to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality and the rights of girls.
Multi-stakeholder Collaboration: Working closely with government departments, NGOs, and community leaders to identify and address the underlying causes of gender discrimination against girls.
Promotion of Education: Ensuring equitable access to quality education for girls by constructing and upgrading schools, offering scholarships, and promoting enrolment initiatives.
Addressing Barriers: Combatting challenges such as child marriage and gender-based violence to create a safe and supportive environment for girls to thrive.
Community Engagement: Encouraging active participation from communities through the establishment of Women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs), village-level committees, and community events to drive sustainable change.
Preventing Sex-Selective Abortions: Enforcing stringent measures to prevent sex-selective abortions and uphold the dignity and rights of every girl child.
CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program
The CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program emerges as a beacon of opportunity for aspiring female students hailing from economically vulnerable backgrounds across India. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Education and administered by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), this scholarship initiative aims to facilitate the pursuit of higher education, particularly in esteemed engineering institutions, for meritorious young women.
Key features of the CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program include:
Targeted Recipients: The scheme extends its support to girl students currently enrolled in class XI at CBSE-affiliated schools, providing a pathway for their academic advancement.
Academic Stream: To qualify for the scholarship, students must be pursuing studies in the Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) stream, ensuring alignment with engineering education prerequisites.
Access to Learning Resources: Selected female students benefit from complimentary access to a wealth of online learning resources, including video lectures, study materials, and practice questions, empowering them to excel in their academic pursuits.
Promotion of Female Participation: By actively encouraging more girls to consider engineering as a viable career path, the program contributes to the diversification and enrichment of the engineering landscape, fostering gender inclusivity and empowerment.
Peer Learning and Mentorship: Udaan Scholarship Program offers invaluable peer learning opportunities and mentorship programs, fostering a supportive environment where meritorious female students can thrive and realize their full potential.
Progress Monitoring: The scheme employs regular assessments to monitor the progress of selected students, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and guidance throughout their academic journey.
Way Forward
On March 13, 2024, the UNDP unveiled its highly anticipated Human Development Report 2023/2024, shedding light on India's progress in addressing gender inequality. The report revealed a significant leap for India in the Gender Inequality Index (GII) of 2022, with the nation ascending to the 108th position out of 193 countries. This remarkable advancement marks a notable climb of 14 spots from its previous ranking of 122 in 2021, reflecting India's steadfast commitment to gender parity. Over the past decade, India has demonstrated a commendable trajectory of improvement, steadily ascending from the 127th position in 2014. This upward trend underscores the efficacy of targeted policy interventions aimed at fostering socio-economic and political development, particularly with a focus on elevating the status of women and girls.
Echoing the sentiments of former CCP Chairman Mao Zedong, who famously asserted that "women hold up half the sky," India stands at the precipice of a transformative era propelled by bold governmental decisions. As the nation embraces a plethora of opportunities, women are emerging as dynamic catalysts of change, transcending barriers and redefining traditional roles. Their ascent, unimaginable a mere decade ago, embodies the essence of India's vision for a developed nation by 2047. Empowered, resilient, and resolute, women are not just beneficiaries but active architects of India's journey towards inclusive growth and prosperity on the global stage.
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