New Women’s Empowerment Policy takes holistic view of gender equality, says Minister for Women and Children Yashomati Thakur

In an interview on Women’s Day, Maharashtra’s Minister for Women and Children, Yashomati Thakur, shares her perspective and the department’s multitude of initiatives.

Q: What will be the focus of the new state government women’s policy?

A: We work for the empowerment and empowerment of women through the Department of Women and Child Development. We are constantly striving to raise the standard of living for women. Girls learn with boys. We are well on the way to building a capable and strong society.

The state had announced the first women’s policy in 1994 for the empowerment and development of women. In 2001 and 2014, the second and third women’s policies were announced by the department. Today, the project of the fourth women’s policy is in its final phase. This year’s policy is not limited to the form of guidelines, but for the first time, it is accompanied by an action plan and follow-up. The policy covers short, medium and long-term measures by explaining the responsibility of the departments concerned for their implementation. The new Women’s Empowerment Policy takes a holistic view of gender equality.

The policy emphasizes the social and economic development of women, girls and people belonging to the LGBTQIA community – lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual. Priority areas will be the improvement of women’s physical and mental health with the involvement of families and men, in particular gender-sensitive education and universal access to quality education. Social protection measures have been prioritized to support the rehabilitation of women affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate shocks and disasters in health, education and labour.

Q: Could you tell us how the allocation of 3% of funds under the annual district plan will stimulate the implementation of women and children empowerment programs?

A: For the comprehensive development of women and children in the state, it has been decided to provide at least 3% of the total funds received from the Planning Department to the District Planning Committee for Women and Children’s Development. permanently for the umbrella program for women. and empowerment of children in every district. It was decided to implement programs for women’s empowerment and child development, women’s economic empowerment and integrated child development services.

Q: What efforts are being made to help women’s self-help groups?

A: Under Nav Tejaswini, Rs 523 million has been provided to women self help groups for financial empowerment of women especially from rural areas.

Women must be financially empowered to achieve overall progress. The baseline survey for the project has been completed and 2,241 sub-projects have been approved.

In addition, the Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) State is an important mechanism to empower women and their self-help groups in the state to work for their economic upliftment. Modern technology is adopted so that the agricultural products of the women’s self-help groups obtain market prices. Through its e-business platform, MAVIM works for the empowerment of women and tries to develop a market relationship for them.

Q: What programs protect women against cybercrime?

A: Training is provided for middle school girls under the Cyber ​​Sakhi initiative. With the increasing use of mobile and internet, cybercrime against women is also on the rise. Students are trained in safe mobile and internet use, digital technology, and measures to prevent cheating.

Q: Can you clarify what Mission Mukta is?

A: The Mukta Mission will be launched for the release of female detainees in prisons. The campaign is implemented by the State Women’s Commission by providing legal assistance to female detainees in prisons.

Posted: Monday 07 March 2022, 16:06 IST