PROGRAMMES FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

PRERNA FOR IAS

PROGRAMMES FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Describe all the programmes in about 100 words each initiated by MODI government in last 12 years for education, health, empowerment, of girls and women

1. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (2015)

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) was launched on 22 January 2015 to address the declining Child Sex Ratio and promote the survival, protection, and education of the girl child. It is a joint initiative of the Ministries of Women & Child Development, Health, and Education. The programme focuses on preventing gender-biased sex selection, improving girls' education, and changing societal attitudes toward daughters. Initially launched in 100 districts, it was later expanded nationwide. Awareness campaigns, community participation, and improved service delivery form its core strategy. BBBP has become a flagship initiative for promoting gender equality and girl-child empowerment in India.

2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (2015)

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a small savings scheme launched under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. It encourages parents to build a financial corpus for the future education and marriage expenses of girl children. Accounts can be opened for girls below ten years of age and offer attractive interest rates along with tax benefits. The scheme promotes financial security and long-term planning for daughters. By reducing financial concerns related to higher education, SSY supports gender equality and encourages investment in girls' futures. It has emerged as one of the most popular savings schemes for girl-child welfare.

3. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (2016)

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to provide free LPG connections to women from economically weaker households. Before the scheme, millions of women relied on firewood, coal, and biomass for cooking, exposing them to harmful indoor air pollution. Ujjwala has significantly improved women's health by reducing respiratory diseases and eye-related problems. It has also saved time spent collecting firewood, enabling women to engage in education, employment, and income-generating activities. The scheme promotes dignity, safety, and environmental sustainability while contributing to women's empowerment and improved quality of life in rural India.

4. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (2017)

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides maternity benefits to pregnant and lactating mothers. The scheme offers financial assistance to compensate for wage loss during pregnancy and encourage proper nutrition and healthcare. It supports women in accessing antenatal care, institutional deliveries, and postnatal services. PMMVY seeks to reduce maternal mortality and improve child health outcomes. By providing direct financial support, it enhances maternal well-being and encourages healthcare utilization among economically vulnerable women. The scheme represents an important step toward ensuring safe motherhood and healthy childhood development.

5. POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018)