Samarthya is an initiative aimed at empowering women in India. It focuses on providing support to women facing various forms of destitution. The programme includes rehabilitation, recovery, repatriation, and reintegration for women, especially victims of trafficking.
Shakti Sadan
Shakti Sadan is the mainstay of the Samarthya initiative. It offers homes and institutional support for women in need. The programme integrates existing schemes like Swadhar Greh and Ujjawala.
- Swadhar Greh: Provides shelter and services for women in difficult circumstances.
- Ujjawala: Focuses on prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, and repatriation of trafficked women.
Shakti Sadan includes integrated relief and rehabilitation homes. These facilities address the immediate and long-term needs of women in distress.
Sakhi Niwas
Sakhi Niwas is a safe accommodation scheme for working women. It replaces the previous Working Women Hostels (WWH) scheme.
- It expands geographically and demographically.
- Serves single women, students, and those in training.
Fifty new hostels will be established under this mission. They will operate on a rental model to meet the needs of working women. Children of working mothers can also stay with them in Sakhi Niwas.
Palna Scheme
The Palna scheme, previously known as the National Creche Scheme, supports children of working women. It aims to provide a safe environment for young children.
- Enhances Female Labour Force Participation.
- Offers childcare facilities for working mothers.
The scheme will be expanded to improve access and support for working women.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
PMMVY is designed to compensate women for wage loss during pregnancy and childbirth. It promotes better care for pregnant women and newborns.
- Previously covered only the first child.
- Now includes the second child if it is a girl.
The scheme offers a higher incentive for the second child. It no longer requires details of the husband for eligibility.
National Hub for Empowerment of Women (NHEW)
The NHEW is a central component of the Samarthya initiative. It aims to enhance the delivery and implementation of women’s empowerment schemes.
- Facilitates monitoring and feedback on programmes.
- Ensures convergence of government initiatives.
The NHEW will also focus on research, gender budgeting, and gap funding for women’s empowerment.
State and District Hubs for Empowerment of Women
State Hubs for Empowerment of Women (SHEW) and District Hubs for Empowerment of Women (DHEW) complement the NHEW. They aim to decentralise the implementation of women’s empowerment initiatives.
- Enhance local participation and accountability.
- Address specific regional challenges and needs.
These hubs are crucial for effective scheme delivery at local levels.
Centre of Excellence for Women
The Centre of Excellence for Women is part of the NHEW. It serves as a knowledge repository.
- Facilitates research and innovation in women’s empowerment.
- Supports monitoring of gender budgeting initiatives.
This centre aims to provide valuable insights and data to improve women’s empowerment efforts.
Goals of Samarthya
The Samarthya initiative has several key goals.
- Empower women economically and socially.
- Enhance safety and security for women.
- Foster gender equality in various sectors.
These goals are pursued through various schemes and initiatives under the Samarthya framework.
Importance of Women Empowerment
Women empowerment is vital for national development. It contributes to economic growth and social stability.
- Increases Female Labour Force Participation.
- Improves health and education outcomes.
Empowered women are more likely to contribute to their communities and society at large.
Challenges to Women Empowerment
Despite progress, challenges remain in empowering women.
- Gender-based violence persists in many areas.
- Access to education and healthcare is often limited.
Addressing these challenges requires sustained efforts and innovative solutions.
Role of Government and NGOs
Both government and non-governmental organisations play important role in women’s empowerment.
- Governments implement policies and programmes.
- NGOs provide support and advocacy for women’s rights.
Collaboration between these entities can enhance the effectiveness of empowerment initiatives.
Community Involvement
Community involvement is essential for successful empowerment programmes.
- Local participation ensures relevance and effectiveness.
- Communities can provide support networks for women.
Engaging communities encourages a supportive environment for women.
Future Directions for Samarthya
The Samarthya initiative aims to expand its reach and impact.
- Increase the number of shelters and support services.
- Enhance awareness and education on women’s rights.
Future efforts will focus on sustainability and long-term empowerment.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring and evaluation are key to the success of empowerment initiatives.
- Assessing impact helps in refining programmes.
- Feedback mechanisms ensure accountability.
Regular evaluations can lead to improved strategies and outcomes.
