The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government’s efforts aimed at empowering women in Madhya Pradesh have started showing real and revolutionary social change. It is for the first time that all-round efforts are being made for economic, social, political empowerment of women along with their safety and security. Women have started experiencing positive and pleasant changes in their lives due to decisions taken by the Chief Minister. Now, respect towards women is visible in people’s thinking and attitude.
Ladli Laxmi Yogana
Over 20 lakh girls have been covered under the Ladli Laxmi Yogana till date since the scheme’s launch in April 2007. Now a girl child is not viewed as a burden on the family since the state government has taken the responsibility of girls’ education, training and upbringing till marriage. Under the scheme, an eligible girl is given a certificate of Rs 1,18,000. She is given Rs 2,000 on getting admission in class VI, Rs 4,000 in class IX and Rs 6,000 each on getting admission in class XI and XII. When the girl appears in class XII examination and gets married after age of 18 years, she is given Rs one lakh. The scheme has been given the format of e-Ladli to make it simpler and easier. Now, an eligible beneficiary can submit application to avail benefit of the scheme from any internet café or public facilitation centre. Another major change is that the government gives bond now in place of National Saving Certificate. Now, the beneficiary will not have to do rounds of the post office to renew the NSC. In case an NSC was lost or destroyed, it was difficult to obtain it again.
Beti Bachao Abhiyan
The Beti Bachao Abhiyan has been implemented in the entire state to ensure that the birth of a girl child is welcomed and she is respected by society. The campaign is still going strong. To motivate society in this regard, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced to celebrate 5 October as Beti Bachao Diwas. He has held road shows in districts having less gender ratio. The Beti Bachao Abhiyan has become a national scheme now. After taking oath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented the Beti Bachao Abhiyan as “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Yojana” in the entire country.
Swagatam Laxmi yogana
In its Vision Document-2018, the Madhya Pradesh government had resolved for women’s equal partnership in the state’s socio-economic development. To achieve this purpose, the Swagatam Laxmi Yojana was introduced on 24 January 2014. For improving gender ratio and reduce female foeticide, a special package was implemented in 10 districts including Morena, Gwalior, Bhind, Datia, Rewa, Tikamgarh, Sheopur, Shivpuri, Indore and Chhatarpur.
Economic empowerment
Women need to be economically empowered so that they command equality and respect in society. Under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana, assistance is given to distressed women whose livelihood sources have been exhausted. Such a scheme has been chalked out in the country for the first time. As many as 577 women have been imparted training in various trades under the scheme introduced in September 2013. Trainee women are given Rs 500 per month stipend. For the first time in the country, initiative to present gender responsive budget has been taken in Madhya Pradesh. The state government’s policy for women and priorities of budget for them are set.
Proper arrangements for education
Free cycles have been provided to about 20 lakh girls in the state so that they can go to nearby village schools to pursue studies. Apart from free textbooks, girl students are also being provided two sets of free uniform. For providing residential education, 200 Kasturba Gandhi girls’ schools are being run. Scholarship of Rs 500 per month is being given under the Gaon Ki Beti Yojana to girls who pass class XII exam in first division and pursue higher education. Over 1.50 lakh girl students are benefiting from this scheme. The Pratibha Kiran Yojana has been introduced for higher studies of girls of poor families. It is the result of so much care about girls’ education that women’s literacy rate in the state has increased from 50.3% to 60 %, which is a remarkable achievement.
Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana
Poor or rich, every daughter should get married honourably. It is everyone’s wish, but it is a stupendous task for a poor person to marry off his daughter. Keeping this in view, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauched the Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana on 1 April, 2006. Under the scheme, marriages of three lakh girls have been solemnized. The Mukhyamantri Nikah Yojana was started from 2012 under which thousands of girls of poor Muslim families have been married off. The government has launched the Kanya Abhibhavak Pension Yojana under which parents with no son and only daughters are given pension.