To ensure the socio-economic development of women in rural areas, the National Mission for Empowerment of Women is promoting a model intervention project. At the heart of the project — launched in 21 districts nationwide, including Pali in Rajasthan — is the women’s centre, Poorna Shakti Kendra, established in villages, for offering services to women at the grassroots.
Working with the motto, hum sunenge nari ki baat (we will listen to women’s voices), two women coordinators or Gram Samanvayaks in each Kendra will help women get pensions and voter identity and Aadhaar cards.
“One of the important elements of the project is the stress on processes instrumental in bringing about women’s empowerment through convergence strategies on the ground,” says Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya.
Likewise, to encourage universal social mobilisation through self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), attention is being paid to women’s empowerment. “The NRLM proposes to ensure universal financial inclusion by facilitating opening of savings accounts by all SHGs, while encouraging their thrift and credit activities and other financial services,” Mr. Jain says.
Under the NRLM, there shall be one rural self-employment training institute in each district. Each will train at least 750 candidates of the below poverty level category.
