March 8, 2014
Empowering women – A key focus of West Bengal Government
After assuming power in 2011, the one of the key focus of the West Bengal Government has been empowering women. Through various schemes, the new State Government has ensured that women in the state lead a life of dignity and are treated at par with men.
Some of the social welfare schemes for women launched by the Ma, Mati, Manush Government in the last 1000 days of being in power are:
- On October 1, 2013, the Kanyashree Scheme was inaugurated. The scheme has two components, the first aimed for girls students aged between 13 and 18 who will get a yearly scholarship and the second for girls students aged 18 and 19, who will get a onetime scholarship. The scheme aimed to stop child marriages and dropouts from school has enlisted 11 lakh girls, out of which 9 lakh girls have already been receiving the benefits.
- According to the data of National Crime Records Bureau, the number of rape cases in the state in 2009, 2010 and 2011 were 2336, 2311 and 2363 respectively. This number came down to 2046 in 2012 and further dropped to 1590, till November 2013.
- Women can fearlessly report any crime. There are 65 women`s police stations in different districts of the state. The State Government has set up 80 fast-track courts to deal with these crimes.
- A self-defense programme for school girls titled Sukanya has been launched in association with the Kolkata Police.
- For the first time, the state started observing the National Girl Child Day on and from January 24, 2013.
- A state level enquiry and management committee has been formed to look into the management of the state Welfare Homes for elderly persons, children and women. CCTVs have been setup for constant monitoring and security of the inmates. The Homes receive regular medical checkups performed by the Health Department. Rs 15 crore has been allotted for the development of each of these homes.
Women's Day logo of the West Bengal Govt
- The state was the first to give empowerment to women by forming distinct policies. State Mission has been created under the Chairpersonship of the Chief Minister. Women Development Centres have been created under its aegis. Regular workshops and seminars are being organized to publicize women empowerment. Women are being given technical training to make them financially empowered.
- In 2012-13, 3115 women were given 6-months training in 23 technical subjects. Women living in govt. and non-govt. Homes are being employed in the Child Development projects under Anganwadi Centres.
- The issues of rehabilitation rescue and return mission of women and children from Bangladesh has been taken up.
- Uttar Dinajpur has been taken up as a model district for workshops regarding campaigning against trafficking of women and children.
- A 3-year working plan has been compiled for building Centre of Anganwadi. 13,389 such new centres are being set up. Arrangements have been made for the women and children in Anganwadi Centres to receive nutritious food such as egg, soyabean, seasonal vegetables, rice and dal instead of Khichdi.
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