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As the Narendra Modi-led government completes 12 years in office, women's empowerment remains one of the key pillars of its governance agenda. Over the years,
the Centre has launched several initiatives aimed at improving women's health, financial inclusion, education, safety, and economic independence. From providing free LPG connections to encouraging savings for the girl child, these schemes have sought to bring millions of women into the mainstream of development. Here are seven major schemes that have had a significant impact on women's lives over the past 12 years:
1. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Launched in 2016, the scheme provides free LPG connections to women from economically weaker households. By reducing dependence on traditional cooking fuels, it has improved health outcomes and eased the burden of household chores for millions of women.2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
Introduced under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, the savings scheme launched in 2015 aims to aid a girl child’s financial stability for education and marriage. The scheme encourages every girl child’s parent to deposit and create a corpus for her beneficial future.3. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Launched in 2015, the programme aims to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, to ensure survival and protection of the girl child and to ensure education and participation of the girl child. It has played a key role in raising awareness about the value of the girl child.4. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
The maternity benefit programme, launched in 2017, offers financial assistance to pregnant and lactating mothers, helping improve maternal and child health while compensating for wage loss during pregnancy. Under the scheme Rs 5,000 are provided to the eligible beneficiary in three installments during pregnancy and lactation in response to individual fulfilling certain nutrition and health seeking conditions.5. Mission Shakti
The umbrella scheme focuses on women's safety, security, and empowerment through initiatives such as One Stop Centres, women helplines, and support services for victims of violence.6. Swadhar Greh Scheme
The Swadhar Greh Scheme is is being implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for women who are victims of difficult circumstances in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity.7. Stand-Up India and Mudra Yojana
These schemes have encouraged women entrepreneurship by facilitating access to credit for small businesses and startups, helping many women become job creators and achieve economic self-reliance.Over the past decade, these initiatives have collectively sought to improve the social and economic status of women across urban and rural India. While challenges remain, the government has consistently highlighted women's empowerment as a cornerstone of its development agenda, with millions of beneficiaries linked to various welfare and financial inclusion programmes.
