During last 9 years, Madhya Pradesh Government has paid special attention to empowerment of women and girls. As a result of Government’s effective schemes, women and girls have got opportunities to make headway in every sector. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has always wished that girls study and move ahead in life and State Government will leave no stone unturned in this regard.
For socio-economic upliftment of women and girls, Madhya Pradesh Government has launched schemes like ladli laxmi, Mukhyamantri Kanyadan, Kishori Balika Diwas in Anganwadi centres, Mangal Diwas, Gaon Ki Beti, Pratibha Kiran, strict implementation of Act to curb female foeticide, large-scale recruitment of Anganwadi workers, implementation of Women’s Policy, Vasati Grah for working women, public awareness camps, short-duration residential facility, sewing centres, Beti Bachao Abhiyan, Child Marriage Prevention Campaign, Tejaswini, Rural Women’s Empowerment Programme, Gramya, formation of self-help groups, Mamatva Mela etc due to which Madhya Pradesh has emerged with a new identity on national firmament. Madhya Pradesh did not lag behind in implementation of Central schemes also.
Optimum benefit has been extended to women and girls under Sabla, Swadhar, Kasturba Gandhi Girls Schools and Usha Kiran Yojana also. ladli laxmi Yojana introduced in Madhya Pradesh and replicated by 6 other states has proved to be of its own kind. So far, about 15 lakh girls have benefited by the scheme. State Government has solemnised marriages of 2 lakh 57 thousand girls on its expenses under Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana lunched on the initiative of the Chief Minister.
The scheme has proved to be a great boon for girls belonging to poor families. Under the scheme, assistance amount has been increased to Rs 15,000 each from Rs 10,000. State-level award scheme has also been launched to empower women under which women are awarded for best performance in service, gallantry and other sectors.
Free cycles are being provided to girl students if they take admission in Class VI and IX in other villages. So far, over 17 lakh girls have benefited from the scheme. Social Justice Department has launched a new pension scheme for parents with only daughters under Beti Bachao Abhiyan from April 1, 2013. Now, amounts of Rs 400 each are being provided to girl students from class 1 to VIII for purchasing two sets of uniform instead of one. For helping girls residing in small habitats to complete education upto middle level, 200 Kasturba Gandhi Girls Residential Schools are being run in the State.
