Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
As has been rightly said, if a woman gets educated, she educates the whole family. The state government has focused a lot on empowerment of women. With steps being taken to support women at every stage of their life, the West Bengal Government’s policy towards women is a holistic model that can be adopted by other states in India.
Kanyashree: A unique effort
In order to encourage girls to go to schools and discourage early marriage Kanyashree Prakalpo has been implemented in West Bengal from 1st October, 2013. As per this scheme, money is directly credited to the bank account of the beneficiaries. This scheme consists of two components: annual stipend of Rs 500 for the girls, aged between 13-18, studying in schools, and providing one-time grant of Rs 25,000 to the unmarried girls aged between 18-19 who are studying or undergoing training. About 11 lakh girls have been enlisted so far and among this, applications of 9 lakh girls have been sanctioned.
Exclusive measures
• Women University: The first Women University of Eastern Zone at Diamond Harbour will commence its session from July 2014.
• Building hostels for girls: 105 hostels are being set up for girl students in 11 underdeveloped districts. Out of 105, about 34 Girls hostels have already been constructed which includes 17 in West Medinipur, 9 in Bankura and 8 in Purulia.
• Other initiatives: 76,085 bicycles have been distributed to girls studying in classes XI-XII. 24 January, 2013 was observed i the state as National Girl Child Day - yet another first, giving emphasis to girl children and stressing on the importance of their holistic upbringing.
Opportunities to lead
Reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions: Ratio for reservation of seats for women in each tier of Panchayat has been enhanced from one-third to half. This is a strong statement given the fact that women’s reservation bill is still pending in the Parliament.
State Women’s Empowerment Policy has been formulated for the first time in West Bengal. Rajya Mahila Sampad Kendra has organized various workshops, seminars etc. with an eye to implementation of the policy of empowerment of women.
Economic opportunities
Widow pension: The State has simplified the process of getting allowance under the National Social Assistance Scheme. Around 7.39 lakh rural women are now getting Rs 600 per month as widow pension.
Providing shelter: 1000 tribal women have been identified as beneficiaries for houses to be built under Rangee scheme. About Rs 20 crore has already been conferred to the Development Board under the plan-head.
Training for employment: With a view to enhance efficiency and for the purpose of economic empowerment of women under the Swabalamban Prakalpo, technical training has been provided to women. During the year 2012-13, a total 3115 women were provided technical training across 23 profession-oriented courses for 6 months duration.
Ensuring women safety
Self defense: Girl students in schools and colleges are being trained in the art of self-defense with the assistance from police through Sukanya Prakalpo.
Faster justice: In order to extend the facilitate of speedy trials, especially in cases of oppression of women, new 88 fast-track courts, 45 courts for women, 19 Human Rights courts and 3 CBI courts have either been set up or notified.
Police protection: 10 additional police stations for women have been set up bringing the number of total such stations to 70. Out of 40,000 constables recruited, a significant fraction consists of women.
Kolkata: The safest city
As per the latest statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau, Kolkata is the safest major city for women, with a crime rate of 0.5 (for rapes) when compared to 53 major cities across the country. The number of rape cases in the state in 2009, 2010 and 2011 were 2,336, 2,311 and 2,363, respectively. This number came down to 2,046 in 2012 and further to 1,590 till November 2013.
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
As has been rightly said, if a woman gets educated, she educates the whole family. The state government has focused a lot on empowerment of women. With steps being taken to support women at every stage of their life, the West Bengal Government’s policy towards women is a holistic model that can be adopted by other states in India.
Kanyashree: A unique effort
In order to encourage girls to go to schools and discourage early marriage Kanyashree Prakalpo has been implemented in West Bengal from 1st October, 2013. As per this scheme, money is directly credited to the bank account of the beneficiaries. This scheme consists of two components: annual stipend of Rs 500 for the girls, aged between 13-18, studying in schools, and providing one-time grant of Rs 25,000 to the unmarried girls aged between 18-19 who are studying or undergoing training. About 11 lakh girls have been enlisted so far and among this, applications of 9 lakh girls have been sanctioned.
Exclusive measures
• Women University: The first Women University of Eastern Zone at Diamond Harbour will commence its session from July 2014.
• Building hostels for girls: 105 hostels are being set up for girl students in 11 underdeveloped districts. Out of 105, about 34 Girls hostels have already been constructed which includes 17 in West Medinipur, 9 in Bankura and 8 in Purulia.
• Other initiatives: 76,085 bicycles have been distributed to girls studying in classes XI-XII. 24 January, 2013 was observed i the state as National Girl Child Day - yet another first, giving emphasis to girl children and stressing on the importance of their holistic upbringing.
Opportunities to lead
Reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions: Ratio for reservation of seats for women in each tier of Panchayat has been enhanced from one-third to half. This is a strong statement given the fact that women’s reservation bill is still pending in the Parliament.
State Women’s Empowerment Policy has been formulated for the first time in West Bengal. Rajya Mahila Sampad Kendra has organized various workshops, seminars etc. with an eye to implementation of the policy of empowerment of women.
Economic opportunities
Widow pension: The State has simplified the process of getting allowance under the National Social Assistance Scheme. Around 7.39 lakh rural women are now getting Rs 600 per month as widow pension.
Providing shelter: 1000 tribal women have been identified as beneficiaries for houses to be built under Rangee scheme. About Rs 20 crore has already been conferred to the Development Board under the plan-head.
Training for employment: With a view to enhance efficiency and for the purpose of economic empowerment of women under the Swabalamban Prakalpo, technical training has been provided to women. During the year 2012-13, a total 3115 women were provided technical training across 23 profession-oriented courses for 6 months duration.
Ensuring women safety
Self defense: Girl students in schools and colleges are being trained in the art of self-defense with the assistance from police through Sukanya Prakalpo.
Faster justice: In order to extend the facilitate of speedy trials, especially in cases of oppression of women, new 88 fast-track courts, 45 courts for women, 19 Human Rights courts and 3 CBI courts have either been set up or notified.
Police protection: 10 additional police stations for women have been set up bringing the number of total such stations to 70. Out of 40,000 constables recruited, a significant fraction consists of women.
Kolkata: The safest city
As per the latest statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau, Kolkata is the safest major city for women, with a crime rate of 0.5 (for rapes) when compared to 53 major cities across the country. The number of rape cases in the state in 2009, 2010 and 2011 were 2,336, 2,311 and 2,363, respectively. This number came down to 2,046 in 2012 and further to 1,590 till November 2013.
