For India to achieve its full potential, the safety, security, and empowerment of its women are non-negotiable. Over the years, the government has launched numerous schemes aimed at supporting women. However, these programs often operated in silos, addressing specific issues without providing a comprehensive, life-cycle support system.
To create a more cohesive and effective framework, the government has launched Mission Shakti. It is a comprehensive umbrella scheme that streamlines and integrates various existing programs for women’s safety and empowerment. It represents a strategic shift towards providing a continuum of care and support, from ensuring a safe environment to enabling economic independence.
What is Mission Shakti? The Integrated Approach
- Full Name: Mission Shakti
- Operational Guidelines Issued: 2022 (for the 15th Finance Commission period of 2021-22 to 2025-26)
- Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
- The Vision: To provide integrated care, safety, protection, rehabilitation, and empowerment for women, enabling them to progress and participate fully in nation-building.
The core of Mission Shakti’s design is its division into two distinct but interconnected sub-schemes.
The Two Sub-Schemes
- ‘Sambal’: This component is dedicated to the Safety and Security of Women. The word ‘Sambal’ means support.
- ‘Samarthya’: This component is dedicated to the Empowerment of Women. The word ‘Samarthya’ means capability.
‘Sambal’: The Pillar of Safety and Security
The ‘Sambal’ sub-scheme focuses on creating a safe and secure environment for women and girls. It does this by strengthening and unifying several crucial existing initiatives. Key components under ‘Sambal’ include:
- One Stop Centres (OSCs): Also known as Sakhi Centres, these are a cornerstone of the safety architecture. They are designed to provide a range of services—including medical aid, legal assistance, police support, and psycho-social counselling—to women affected by violence, all under one roof.
- Women Helplines (WHL): The scheme supports the universal emergency helpline number (181) that provides 24/7 immediate response to women in distress.
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP): The well-known national campaign to address the declining child sex ratio and promote the value of the girl child is now a component of ‘Sambal’.
- Nari Adalats (Women’s Courts): A new component that aims to provide women with an alternative and informal grievance redressal mechanism at the community level to resolve petty disputes.
‘Samarthya’: The Pillar of Empowerment
The ‘Samarthya’ sub-scheme focuses on empowering women to realize their full potential, with a strong emphasis on economic independence. Key components under ‘Samarthya’ include:
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): The maternity benefit program, which provides a cash incentive to pregnant women and lactating mothers, is a major part of this sub-scheme.
- Shakti Sadan (Integrated Relief and Rehabilitation Home): This component merges and upgrades the existing Swadhar Greh and Ujjawala Homes to provide shelter and support to women in difficult circumstances.
- Working Women Hostels (Sakhi Niwas): The scheme supports the construction and running of safe and affordable hostels for working women in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas.
- Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW): This is a new institutional framework at the national, state, and district levels. These hubs will act as a single point of contact to guide women in accessing benefits under various government schemes.
The Human Touch: An Integrated Support System in Action
Anjali, a young woman in a small town, was facing severe domestic violence. Isolated and scared, she saw a poster for the Women Helpline number (181) and gathered the courage to make a call.
The helpline operator calmly counselled her and immediately connected her to the nearest One Stop Centre (OSC). Within hours, a vehicle from the OSC reached her. At the centre, Anjali found a safe space. A counsellor listened to her, a doctor attended to her injuries, and a paralegal volunteer explained her legal rights. The OSC then arranged for her to stay at a Shakti Sadan (rehabilitation home) for temporary shelter.
While staying at the shelter, a social worker from the district’s Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) visited her. The worker helped her enroll in a government-funded skill development course. After completing the course, Anjali secured a job in a nearby city and moved into a safe and affordable Working Women Hostel.
This story illustrates the power of Mission Shakti. The different components—the helpline, the One Stop Centre, the shelter home, and the empowerment hub—worked together as a seamless chain of support, helping Anjali transition from a state of crisis to a life of safety, dignity, and economic independence.
Impact and the Road Ahead
Impact
- Streamlined Approach: The most significant impact of Mission Shakti is that it streamlines numerous schemes into a single, cohesive mission. This improves efficiency, reduces administrative overlap, and makes it easier for women to access benefits.
- Strengthened Infrastructure: The mission strengthens the institutional infrastructure for women’s safety, particularly through the expansion and strengthening of the One Stop Centre network.
- Life-Cycle Focus: It adopts a life-cycle approach, providing targeted support at different stages of a woman’s life, from birth to motherhood to her working years.
Challenges
- Awareness: Ensuring that women, especially in rural and remote areas, are aware of the various services available under Mission Shakti and how to access them is a major challenge.
- Effective Convergence: True success depends on smooth and effective coordination between various government departments (like police, health, and legal aid) at the ground level.
- Capacity Building: The frontline functionaries, such as the staff at the One Stop Centres and Women Helplines, require continuous training and sensitization to handle sensitive cases effectively.
Conclusion
Mission Shakti is a significant and forward-looking step towards creating a more holistic and integrated framework for women’s empowerment in India. By combining the crucial pillars of safety (‘Sambal’) and empowerment (‘Samarthya’), the mission aims to create a supportive ecosystem where women are not only protected from harm but are also given the tools and opportunities to thrive. Its successful implementation will be a critical factor in advancing gender equality and unlocking the full potential of India’s women.