Department of Women and Child Development Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering Women

Department of Women & Child Development - Women Specific Mandate Welfare of Family Women and Child Welfare and co-ordination of activities of other Ministries and Organizations in connection with this subject References from the United Nations Organizations relating to traffic in women and children Implementation of- - The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (as amended upto 1986) - The Indecent Representation of women (Prevention) Act, The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (as amended upto 1986) - The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987

Cont….. Implementation of Womens Development & Empowerment Programmes through Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) National Commission for Women Rashtriya Mahila Kosh

Initiatives of the Department Increasing the coverage of programmes for affirmative action Reviewing the laws to remove gender bias Campaigning for equal rights for women to property Enabling income-generating activities through credit facilities Providing support services like day-care centres with creche facilities, working womens hostels etc Formulating interventions aimed at holistic empowerment of women through two prominent interventions viz. Swashakti and Swayamsidha.

National Policy for Empowerment --March 2001 Objectives : To bring about advancement,development and empowerment of women To eliminate all forms of discrimination against women To ensure active participation of women in all spheres of life Themes and Issues covered in Policy: Judicial legal system, Economic empowerment Social empowerment including health,education,violence, science and technology, drinking water and sanitation. Women and decision making, media and girl child etc.

Five Year Plans Commitments in the Ninth Five year Plan: Empowering women as agents of social change Adopting an integrated approach towards empowering women through convergence of existence services Adopting a special strategy of Women Component Plan Organising women into SHG to mark the beginning of a major process of empowering women Equipping women with skills in modern upcoming trades

Tenth Five year Plan The approach continues with the major Strategy of Empowering Women as agents of Social change and development. Based on National Policy for Empowerment of Women Sector Specific three fold Strategy is adopted which includes: Social Empowerment Economic Empowerment Gender Justice

Enactment & Implementation of Special laws concerning women The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, The Dowry Prohibition Act, The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, National Commission for Women Act, 1990 Protection from Domestic Violence Bill, 2002 Sexual Harassment of women at the workplace and other Institutions – Implementation of Guidelines as per Supreme Courts order.

Programmes for Equality and Women Empowerment Swa Shakti(RWDEP) Swayamsiddha Support to Training & Employment Programme(STEP) Swawlamban (NORAD)

Programmes for Equality and Women Empowerment Hostels for Working Women Short Stay Homes Swadhar- A scheme for women in difficult circumstances Creche for Children of Working and Ailing Women ICDS – Adolescent girls schemes – Kishori Shakti Yojana and IFA supplementation Stree Shakti Puraskar

SWAYAMSIDHA Integrated project for development and empowerment of women. Immediate objectives are; Establishment of self-reliant womens Self Help Groups (SHGs). Creation of confidence and awareness among members of SHGs. Strengthening and institutionalizing the savings habit in rural women and their control over economic resources. Improving access of women to micro credit. Involvement of women in local level planning and Convergence of services of DWCD and other Departments.

Success of Swa Shakti Programme ---Approach Formation of Self-Reliant women groups (SHGs), No subsidy provided. Formation of networks of SHGs at Cluster and block levels Providing needed inputs like savings, access to credit, skill development and micro-enterprise development to improve their livelihood. Addressing problems like alcoholism,atrocities social evils, drudgery, health, etc. Awareness generation regarding legal rights,laws confidence building, functional literacy and delivery of services.

Success of Swa Shakti Programme ---Approach Facilitative,Participatory and non directive role of project functionaries Ownership & control by women so that they can determine the form, nature, content & timing of all SHG activities Promoting sustainable SHGs and clusters. Separate Project implementation unit at Central,State and District level.

Success of Swa Shakti Programme ---Visible Outcomes Increased self confidence, self esteem & autonomy of women. SHGs and Clusters are acting as a platform where women could critically analyse their problems, identifying ways to overcome them. Ability to articulate needs, make demand and enforce rights both as an individual as well as in groups.Women are also striving collectively for social change. Increased access to and control over economic & social resources & the political process.

Success of Swa Shakti Programme ---Visible Outcomes Participation in Planning and decision making process at family and community levels Increased capacity of partner organisations and adoption of improved financial & managerial practices. Improved quality of life An international model in social development

Women able to voice basic needs and access services and resources

Women having a say in deciding their daughters education

Women are able to visit places outside the village on their own or in the company of other women

Members have access to safe drinking water

Average Saving per Group

Average amount inter-loaned per Group

Groups Channelised Benefits from other Programmes

Dependence on Money Lenders

Members Access to Sanitary Toilets

On-farm and Off-farm IGAs Initiated

Common Minimum Programme - Initiatives To introduce legislation for one-third reservations for women in Vidhan Sabhas and in the Lok Sabha. Legislation on domestic violence and against gender discrimination will be enacted. Ensure one-third funds of Panchayat for programmes for women and children. Women and their association to be encouraged to assume responsibility for development schemes relating to water, sanitation, primary education, health and nutrition. Enact new legislation that gives women equal rights of ownership of assets. Major expansion in schemes for micro-finance based on self-help groups.

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