Government Schemes and Programmes for Women’s Safety and Empowerment in India

Women’s safety and socio-economic empowerment represent critical pillars of India’s social development framework. The Government of India implements a broad spectrum of umbrella schemes, statutory interventions, financial inclusion models, and digital safety tools managed primarily by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) in coordination with other central ministries. These initiatives address gender disparities across life stages, targeting health, education, political representation, financial independence, and legal protection against violence.

Mission Shakti: Integrated Women Protection and Empowerment Framework

Mission Shakti serves as the umbrella scheme launched during the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26) for the safety, security, and empowerment of women. The scheme unifies various standalone interventions into two distinct sub-schemes: Sambal and Samarthya.

Sub-Scheme Sambal (Safety and Security)

Sambal focuses on improving safety, preventing gender-based violence, and providing immediate rescue and support mechanisms.

• One Stop Centre (OSC / Sakhi): Provides integrated support including medical assistance, legal counseling, police facilitation, psycho-social counseling, and temporary shelter to women affected by violence under a single roof.
• Women Helpline (WHL – 181): Delivers a 24×7 toll-free emergency response and referral service linked with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS – 112).
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Launched in January 2015 at Panipat, Haryana, to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and support girl child education. It involves multi-sectoral action across MWCD, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Ministry of Education.
• Nari Adalat: Introduces an alternative dispute resolution forum at the Gram Panchayat level for resolving minor gender-related disputes through community mediation.

Sub-Scheme Samarthya (Empowerment)

Samarthya aims to enhance female labor force participation, economic self-reliance, and care support infrastructure.

• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): A Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) maternity benefit scheme offering financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers for the first child and a second female child.
• Palna (National Creche Scheme): Provides day-care facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers, improving female labor workforce entry.
• Shakthi Sadan: Integrates the erstwhile Swadhar Greh (shelter homes for destitute women) and Ujjawala schemes (prevention of trafficking and rehabilitation).
• Working Women Hostel (Sakhi Niwas): Offers safe accommodation and day-care facilities for urban and semi-urban working women.

Key Centrally Sponsored Schemes for Female Empowerment

Legislative Interventions and Financial Safety Tools

Specialized funds and legal mandates ensure structural protection and financial accountability across public and private sectors.

Nirbhaya Fund Infrastructure

Constituted in 2013 following the recommendations of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee, the Nirbhaya Fund operates as a non-lapsable corpus dedicated to women’s safety projects. The Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance serves as the nodal agency, while various ministries submit operational proposals. Key infrastructure funded includes:

• Emergency Response Support System (ERSS – 112): Single pan-India emergency number integrating police, fire, and ambulance services.
• Safe City Project: Implements smart video surveillance, drone monitoring, and AI-enabled analytics across 8 major urban centers (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Mumbai).
• Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC): Establishes cyber forensic labs and online crime reporting portals under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): Dedicated judicial setups for the speedy disposal of pending cases under the POCSO Act and IPC/BNS rape provisions.

Legal Protections and Workplace Frameworks

• Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act (POSH), 2013: Mandates the creation of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) in every organization employing 10 or more persons.
• SHe-Box (Sexual Harassment electronic Box): A centralized online portal developed by MWCD for registering complaints related to workplace sexual harassment.
• Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017: Increased paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks for up to two surviving children and mandated mandatory creche facilities in establishments with 50 or more employees.
• Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023: Also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, it reserves one-third (33%) of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi.

Key Facts for Quick Revision

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development gained full status as an independent ministry in 2006 (previously a department under the Ministry of Human Resource Development since 1985).
• Mission Shakti was launched for implementation during the 15th Finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• The National Commission for Women (NCW) was established as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, with Jayanti Patnaik serving as its first Chairperson.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched on January 22, 2015, at Panipat, Haryana.
• The Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) operates on the pan-India emergency number 112.
• The Justice J.S. Verma Committee was appointed in 2012 to recommend amendments to criminal law for faster trial and enhanced punishment for violent crimes against women.
• The Nirbhaya Fund is a non-lapsable corpus administered by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
• Under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017, paid maternity leave stands at 26 weeks for the first two children and 12 weeks for third and subsequent children.
• The Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023 reserves 33% seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for a sunset period of 15 years from its commencement.
• Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana permits parents to open an account for a girl child below the age of 10 years, allowing partial withdrawal of up to 50% for higher education upon reaching age 18.
• Article 39(d) of the Constitution directs the State to secure equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
• Article 42 directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.