The first decade of the 21st century was, by any standard, a turning point vis-a-vis women empowerment in India. Bubbling with enthusiasm and self-confidence they are now making their impressive presence felt in all the spheres, even in the ones traditionally considered to be male preserves. They are no longer nestled in the confines of their homes. Just name any field and they are there.

But, this welcome change is, regrettably, more or less confined to urban and urbanized areas. Their counterparts in rural and far-off areas are still far from living a dignified life. They face discrimination at every stage, taking a backseat at home, especially in matters related to health, nutrition and education. The situation prevails all over the country. And Madhya Pradesh is no exception.

However, things are fast changing for the better in Madhya Pradesh following effective interventions of the state government. The well-contemplated measures taken over the years at the initiative of the Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan are sure to secure women their rightful place in society.

Known for thinking out-of-box and fired with a passion to see women live a dignified life and realize self worth he took worth emulating steps in this direction, but not before soliciting the views of women themselves by holding their Panchayat at his official residence. The participants shared their views on issues concerning their betterment. After minute study and analysis of these suggestions and views, he introduced a number of novel schemes to take care of girls and women right from birth to different crucial stages of her life.

Beginning from the beginning he ensured a more effective implementation of the PNDT Act to put a firm check on sex determination tests. A cash award has been instituted for giving information of embryo sex determination test.

The important role of education in empowerment of women cannot be overemphasized. Realizing the need and significance of girl education, the state government has taken well-planned initiatives towards promoting girl education. The scheme of providing free bicycles to schoolgirls has been extended at the initiative of the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan. The Scheme of providing bicycles to rural girls getting admission in IX in some other village was introduced in year 2005. The Chief Minister extended it to provide the same facility to girls getting admission in VI in other village. Free textbooks and uniforms are being provided to girl students. Over 15 lakh girls have so far received this facility. The stipend and scholarships for girl students of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes have been increased considerably.

From this year, an amount of Rs. 400 is provided to the girls of Ist to VIII standard for a pair of uniforms. As many as 200 Kasturba Balika residential schools are being conducted for providing education up to secondary level to girls from small localities and habitations. About 19 thousand 669 girls are studying in these schools. The state government has doubled the number of seats in these schools to hundred. Besides, residential and non-residential bridge courses are being conducted for girls who have been left behind in primary education. This year six new Kasturbal schools have been set up.

With a view to introducing innovations and building better academic environment for girsl education workshops of eminent experts and scholars were organized and their recommendations have been accommodated in the action plan for this. Under SSA this year 319 girls hostels and under National Secondary Education Mission 201 girls hostels are being opened this year.

In order to encourage rural girls to pursue higher education the state government had implemented a novel Gaon Ki Beti scheme. At the initiative of the Chief Minister Shri Chouhan now it has been extended to maximize the number of beneficiaries. Under the scheme, earlier, a girl of every village passing the XII examination in the first division and scoring the highest marks in the XII examination was given a scholarship of Rs. 500 to pursue higher education. Now all the girls of villages passing the XII examination in the first division are given this facility. The girls pursuing technical and medical education get Rs. 750 per month. Similarly, to encourage the urban girls of BPL families for higher education a Pratibha Kiran Yojana has been launched with a provision of scholarship for girls passing the XII examination in the first division. The amount of assistance for them has been increased from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 5000.

In order to bring about a positive change in the social attitude towards birth of a girl child he came out with a well conceived Ladali Laxami Yojana. Under this, a National Saving Certificate is purchased in the name of a girl at the time of her birth. More importantly, it has been connected to their education. On admission in the VI the girl is given a cash amount of Rs. two thousand and on admission in IX Rs. four thousand. When she clears X examination and gets admission in XI she would get Rs. 7500 cash and Rs. two hundred per month to cover the expenses on education of XI and XII classes. On attaining the age of 21 years she would get Rs. 1 lakh 18 thousand cash. Over seven lakh girls have already been covered under this, by now widely popular, scheme

The state government has taken special care of the health problems of girls and women. In order to bring down the maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) a Janani Suraksha Yojana has been introduced to promote institutional deliveries. Under the scheme, Rs. 1400 is given to a pregnant woman for delivery in a hospital. As a result of this, now the percentage of institutional deliveries has increased from 26 to 81 percent in the state. The IMR has also come down from 80 to 70 percent and MMR from 498 to 379 per lakh.

For enhancing awareness about proper care of pregnant women and nursing mothers and nutrition to them and children, a number of innovative schemes have been introduced in Anganwadis. These include Godbharai, Annaprashan, Janm Diwas, Balika Suraksha Yojana and Matra Suraksha Card.

The number of Anganwadi centres has been considerably increased and the nutritious food policy has been introduced in Anganwadis after 35 years. Instead of Dalia now 20 dishes are served at Anganwadis according to the local food habits. Malnutrition is also a major area of concern addressed by the state government.

A 161 crore Tejaswimin Project has been implemented in six districts for economic empowerment of rural women. Steps have also been taken to provide institutionalized support to women’s self-help groups. An MoU has been signed with UN Women Organization for furthering women empowerment efforts of the state governments in Jhabua and Sehore district.

The state government is well aware that women can play an effective role in matters concerning society if provided opportunities. Taking a lead in the country Madhya Pradesh government has given a 50 percent reservation to women in panchayats and civic bodies and in recruitment of contract schoolteachers. A thirty percent quota has been fixed for them in admission to medical education courses and ten percent in police force.

A “Sabala” scheme has been initiated in 15 districts identified after a baseline survey for empowerment of adolescent girls. An allocation of Rs. 40 crore has been made for this in this year’s budget. The scheme aims at improving the nutrition and general health level of girls in 11-18 years age group as also upgrading their professional skills. Kishori Balika Yojana is already being implemented in remaining 35 districts for this purpose.

To ensure women the full benefit of schemes and programmes for them the gender budget, which was introduced in various departments. The interests of Anganwadi workers and assistants have been safeguarded. Fifty percent posts of contract Surveyors have been reserved for Anganwadi workers.

The State Policy for Women is being implemented in right earnest for educational, social, political and economic development of women in the state.

To effectively curb domestic violence against women, Usha Kiran scheme is being implemented efficiently. So far, out of 17 thousand cases registered, 8 thousand 300 have been disposed off. These include 6 thousand 657 cases disposed off through family counselling centres and 1705 through courts. Besides, in 375 cases women have been provided shelters. Under the scheme a 24-hour helpline facility has also been made available for women.

One would thus see that an enabling atmosphere has been created in Madhya Pradesh for the women to keep pace with the times, thereby contributing significantly to the progress of the state and the nation at the same time realizing their self-worth.