Mission Shakti [Women Empowerment Scheme]

Mission Shakti launched by the GoI is an integrated women empowerment programme for the safety, security and empowerment of women. In this article, you will learn about “Mission Shakti”, important topic for the IAS exam, GS I and II papers.

Mission Shakti

Mission Shakti is a scheme in mission mode aimed at strengthening interventions for women’s safety, security and empowerment. The Ministry for Women and Child Development (MWCD) is the Nodal Ministry for the holistic development of women and children.

• The scheme was launched during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• It seeks to realise the government’s commitment to women-led development by addressing issues affecting women on a life cycle continuum basis and by making them equal partners in nation-building through convergence and citizen ownership.
• The scheme seeks to make women economically empowered, exercising free choice over their minds and bodies in an atmosphere free from violence and threat.
• It also seeks to increase labour force participation by promoting skill development, capacity building, financial literacy, access to microcredit, etc.

Also read: Women in Workforce: RSTV – Big Picture

Sub-Schemes of Mission Shakti

Mission Shakti has two sub-schemes namely, Sambal and Samarthya.

Sambal Sub-scheme 

The ‘Sambal’ sub-scheme is for the safety and security of women.

Sambal Sub-scheme Components:

The components of the Sambal sub-scheme consist of erstwhile schemes –

• One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC) –
  • The OSC Scheme has been implemented since 1st April 2015 to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and in distress, both in private and public spaces under one roof.
  • Currently, OSCs are being set up in every district of the country.
  • The OSC shall be the mainstay of the Ministry at the district level for coordination and convergence with other initiatives under the Nirbhaya Fund such as Women Help Lines, Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs), Women Help Desks (WHD), Special Fast Track Courts (SFTCs), etc. 
  • Know more about the One Stop Centre Scheme in the linked article.
• Women Help Line (WHL) – The Women Helpline provides toll-free 24-hours telecom service to women seeking support and information by connecting them with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) for all emergency services like police/fire/Ambulance services and with One Stop Centres.
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)
• A new component of Nari Adalats/women collectives has been added to promote and facilitate alternate dispute resolution and gender justice in society and within families.

Samarthya Sub-scheme 

The ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme is for the empowerment of women.

Samarthya Sub-scheme Components:

• The components of the ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme consist of erstwhile schemes of Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and Working Women Hostels.
  • For administrative purposes, Swadhar Greh and Ujjwala Scheme have been merged and will be known as ‘Shakti Sadan’- Integrated Relief and Rehabilitation Home.
• The existing schemes of the National Creche Scheme for children of working mothers and Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana  (PMMVY) under the umbrella ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) have also been included in the Samarthya sub-scheme.
• Gap Funding for Economic Development – a new component has also been incorporated in the Samarthya scheme. 

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