The initiatives for the women empowerment by the state government have started showing encouraging results as they are not only getting opportunities to excel in their lives but also feeling more secure. The present government has launched few ambitious schemes for ensuring welfare of the women folk which would go a long way in making them self-reliant and live with pride.One of the major initiative for women safety is launching of 'Shakti Button App' and 'Gudiya Helpline' which are proving to be a boon in checking violence and crime against the women. So far, 28968 complaints received under Shakti Button App have been redressed whereas 1233 complaints have been received under Gudiya Helpline out of which 1196 have been disposed of.The Saksham Gudiya Board has also been constituted in the state to frame recommendations for the police department for empowerment of girl child/adolescent girls. The Board is also reviewing implementation of various programmes being run by different departments for upliftment and empowerment of girl child.Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has launched Shashakt Mahila Yojana which envisages women empowerment by providing them an interface for socio-economic development of rural women by creating awareness about their rights and facilitating institutional support. Sashakt Mahila Kendras will be set up in every panchayat under the scheme to create awareness among women and girls about their potential.The state government has enhanced the one-time grant given to the girl child belonging to BPL families under the “Beti Hai Anmol Yojana” from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 12,000.
Under “Mother Taressa Asahaya Matri Sambal Yojana finance assistance has been increased from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5000 per child per annum to poor women for maintenance of their children. Additional honorarium, being given to the Anganwadi Workers, Mini Anganwadi Workers and Helpers has also been increased by Rs. 300 per month.In order to deal with the anaemia, malnutrition and various other health issues in the children, government has started Poshan Abhiyan (Nutrition Campaign) in Chamba, Hamirpur, Shimla Solan and Una districts while remaining districts will also be covered soon. Government of India has given five prizes to the state for outstanding work at different levels under nutrition month held recently.Mahila Shakti Kendra have been established in Una, Kangra and Hamirpur districts under Beti Bachao Beti Praho campaign through community participation. The scope of this scheme has been extended to six more districts that will include Shimla, Solan, Sirmour, Bilaspur, Mandi and Chamba.The state government has also launched Mukhya Mantri Swawlamban Yojana under which provision has been made to provide 30 percent subsidy to women for setting up their ventures. This would enable them to take up self-employment activities for their socio-economic development.Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal said that the state government is working to provide safe and secure environment to women. The department is ensuring effective implementation of all the welfare schemes for upliftment of women. He said that awareness camps are being organized regularly at different levels and the department will make sure that no eligible woman remains deprived from taking benefit of these schemes.