The Government of India (under the Ministry of Women and Child Development) has launched ‘Mission Shakti’ – an integrated women empowerment programme as an umbrella scheme for the safety, security, and empowerment of women for implementation during the 15’h Finance Commission period 2O2l-22 to 2025-26.
The components of Mission Shakti have been designed in such a way that it takes care of the women’s need on life cycle continuum basis. Mission Shakti has two sub-schemes – ‘sambal’ and ‘Samarthya’.
Sambal:
It is for the Safety and Security of Women.
It consists of schemes of One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL),Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), with a new component of Nari Adalats – women’s collectives to promote and facilitate alternative dispute resolution and gender justice in society and within families.
Samarthya:
It is for the Empowerment of Women.
It consists of erstwhile schemes of Ujjwala,Swadhar Greh and Working Women Hostel that have been included with modifications.
In addition, the existing schemes of the National Creche Scheme for children of working mothers and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) under the umbrella Integrated Child Development Services ICDS have now been included in Samarthya.
A new component of Gap Funding for Economic Empowerment has also been added in the Samarthya Scheme.
What are the Objectives of Mission Shakti?
The components under Mission Shakti have the broad objectives of either protecting or assisting women who are victims of violence or in difficult circumstances or for empowering women. The objectives of the Mission are as under:
Provide an immediate and comprehensive continuum of care, support and assistance to women affected by violence and for those in distress.
To put in place quality mechanisms for rescue, protection and rehabilitation of women in need of assistance and victims of crime and violence.
To improve accessibility to various government services available for women at various levels.
Making people aware of Government schemes and programmes as well as legal provisions to fight social evils like dowry, domestic violence, Sexual Harassment at Workplace and to promote gender equality etc.
Collaboration with partner Ministries/ Departments/ States/ UTs for convergence of policies, programmes/ schemes and to create an enabling environment for public-private partnership for safety and empowerment of women across sectors.
To prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination; to ensure survival, protection, education and development of the girl child.
It also seeks to reduce the care burden on women and increase female labour force participation by promoting skill development, capacity building, financial literacy, access to microcredit etc.
Thus, the objective of Mission Shakti is to provide to all women and girls including differently-abled, socially and economically marginalized and vulnerable groups, in need of care and protection, with short-term and long-term services and information for their holistic development and empowerment.
What are the Services & Activities Involved?
Emergency/ Immediate services & short-term care:
National toll-free number and integrated services such as temporary shelter, legal aid, psycho-social counselling, medical assistance, police facilitation and link them with existing services etc. through One Stop Centres.
Institutional Care for long-term support:
Taking care of the needs of women right from the conception stage till the time they need such care and support.
SakhiNiwas or Working Women Hostel will provide a safe and secure place for working women.
Behaviour Change Communication for dignity and prevention of crime and violence against women:
This would include large-scale awareness programs and community engagement for gender sensitisation.
In addition, engaging with men and boys would be done to partner for countering violence against women and gender stereotypes.
