The government implements schemes for the social and economic empowerment of women, including single mothers and widows. Discover how these initiatives provide financial aid, rehabilitation, and social support, ensuring a dignified life for them.
The Government of India is actively working to empower women, especially single mothers and widows, through various social and economic schemes across different ministries and departments. These initiatives aim to provide safety, security, and financial support, ensuring women lead a dignified life.
One significant initiative is the establishment of Krishna Kutir, a home for widows in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. With a capacity of 1,000 residents, it offers a safe haven that includes health services, nutritious food, legal aid, and counseling for widows in need.
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Additionally, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been running the Mission Shakti scheme since 2022-23, under the 15th Finance Commission period. This initiative encompasses two sub-schemes: Sambal for women’s safety and Samarthya for their empowerment. Samarthya includes several components such as:
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), offering cash incentives of ₹5,000 for the first child and ₹6,000 for a second child, if it is a girl.
- Shakti Sadan: a rehabilitation home for women in distress, including those rescued from trafficking.
- Sakhi Niwas: a hostel providing safe accommodation for working women.
- Palna: A daycare service utilizing Anganwadi infrastructure for childcare.
- SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW), which aims to bridge knowledge gaps about women-centric schemes and facilities.
In a move to support single mothers, the Government has amended the rules regarding PAN card and passport applications. Single mothers can now choose to have their name alone on the PAN card, while in passport applications, either parent’s name can be provided without needing a marriage or divorce certificate.
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Further changes to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021, now allow female government servants or pensioners to nominate their children for family pensions in case of marital issues, providing them more financial independence.
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) offers financial assistance to widows from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households. The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme, launched in 2009, offers monthly pensions to widows aged 40-79 years. The amount varies by state, generally ranging from ₹300 to ₹2800. Beneficiaries above 80 years receive enhanced assistance.
Lastly, under the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF), the government provides vocational training and financial assistance to widows of armed forces personnel. Introduced in August 2023, the scheme offers a one-time grant of ₹50,000 for widows of ex-servicemen who were up to the rank of Havildar.
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These measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the well-being and empowerment of women, offering support to some of the most vulnerable sections of society.
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, in a Rajya Sabha session.
