Yojana Schemes: A Catalyst for Women Empowerment
Women constitute an integral part of any society but their contributions and potential are often constrained by various societal, economic and cultural barriers. In order to overcome these barriers and facilitate their active participation in the socio-economic development of the country, the government of India has launched a series of Yojana Schemes that aim to promote and support women’s empowerment in the country.
Across all sectors, women have been underrepresented and undervalued. In India, only 26% of the workforce is female, with rural areas and poorer sectors experiencing even lower rates. Many Indian women’s roles are confined to unpaid domestic work, with their voices and agency suppressed. These Yojana schemes aim to change this and help women to discover and unlock their potential as integral actors in the country’s growth.
Some of the key Yojana Schemes launched by the government of India for women empowerment are:
1) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme – This scheme aims to improve the sex ratio and address the declining child sex ratio. An amount of INR 24.6 billion has been allocated for this scheme, which focuses on providing education and financial support for girls.
2) Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) – A small deposit scheme for the benefit of the girl child launched as a part of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign. The scheme aims at encouraging parents to keep female children and secure their future by providing a savings account to deposit money for their education and marriage expenses.
3) UJJWALA scheme – It is a social welfare scheme launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with the aim of providing free LPG connections to women from BPL households.
4) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – This scheme aims to provide financial services to the poor in an affordable manner. Women are given preference under this scheme, which has led to the opening of a large number of bank accounts by women.
5) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) – This scheme aims to provide affordable housing options to people from economically weaker sections and low-income groups. Women have been given priority under this scheme, with the aim of providing housing security to women-led households.
These schemes complement each other by addressing various aspects of women’s lives. They ensure that more resources are available for women to allow them to access education, housing, and financial services. They also help women to develop a strong sense of self-confidence, independence, and agency in making their own decisions.
Yojana Schemes and their Impact on Women Empowerment
The Yojana Schemes launched by the government of India have had a significant impact on promoting women empowerment in the country and here are some success stories to prove that:
1) BBBP Scheme – The scheme has helped in improving the sex ratio of many districts in several states of India. The initiative promotes education and provides financial assistance to girls, which has helped in encouraging parents to send their daughters to school.
2) PMJDY – The scheme has enabled women to open their own bank accounts, which has resulted in their financial inclusion. In many cases, women have started their own small businesses, creating a steady source of income for themselves and their families.
3) UJJWALA Scheme – The scheme has helped in improving the health of women and children as clean energy sources are used for cooking purposes. The scheme has been particularly beneficial for women in rural areas, where the use of traditional cooking fuels like wood, coal, etc. has a detrimental impact on the environment and the health of women.
4) PMAY – The scheme has helped in providing affordable housing options to many women-led households, which has provided security and safety for them and their families.
These Yojana Schemes have not just provided the necessary resources but also acted as a catalyst in addressing the concerns of gender inequality, by reducing the gender gap in education, health, financial inclusion, and housing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the importance of Yojana Schemes in promoting women empowerment in India?
A. Yojana Schemes have been instrumental in providing the necessary resources and addressing the concerns of gender inequality, by reducing the gender gap in education, health, financial inclusion, and housing. They act as a catalyst in empowering women and addressing the socio-economic barriers that women face.
Q. What are the key Yojana Schemes launched by the government of India for women empowerment?
A. Some of the key Yojana Schemes launched by the government of India for women empowerment are Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), UJJWALA scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Q. What has been the impact of Yojana Schemes on women empowerment in India?
A. The Yojana Schemes launched by the government of India have had a significant impact on promoting women empowerment in the country. They have helped in improving the sex ratio, providing financial inclusion, improving the health of women and children, and providing affordable housing options to women-led households, among other things.
Q. How can Yojana Schemes help in changing the status quo for women in India?
A. Yojana Schemes can help in changing the status quo for women in India by addressing the socio-economic barriers that women face. They provide the necessary resources and help women develop a strong sense of self-confidence, independence, and agency in making their own decisions. This can help in establishing a more equitable and just society for everyone.