New model of women empowerment in Uttar Pradesh
Digital Desk, Lucknow. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is now on its way to becoming a new global model of women-led development. The state government has launched the biggest campaign so far to directly empower women, who are considered the backbone of the rural economy. Under this mega-campaign, 3 crore women of the state will be made self-reliant by connecting them with Self Help Groups (SHGs). The Chief Minister's goal is clear - to create 1 crore 'Lakhpati Didi' in the state within the next one year, so that every woman in the village can become financially capable and self-reliant.
Door to door knock and master plan
Yogi government has activated Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) to implement this vision. Teams trained under the mission will now go from village to village and contact houses. The strategy is to ensure that no interested woman is left out. For this, the possibilities of both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors have been explored. Women will be organized into groups based on their interest and local resources.
From training to market
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's vision is not limited to just connecting women with groups, but making them 'business leaders'. Under the scheme, women will be provided expertise in the following areas:
Agriculture and Animal Husbandry: Modern farming, dairy and organic manure manufacturing.
Micro Industries: Food Processing, Handicrafts and Sewing-Embroidery.
Technical and Service Sector: Banking Correspondent (BC Sakhi) and other service based jobs.
Confluence of capital and technology
Yogi government is working in 'mission mode' to ensure that women have resources along with skills. Groups are being provided with immediate capital assistance (seed funding) and bank linkage. Besides, arrangements for digital platform and market support have also been made so that their products can get a larger market.
The Chief Minister has given strict instructions to the officials to run this campaign on a war footing to strengthen the social and economic structure. The government believes that when a village woman becomes economically empowered, she will not only run her own household but will also open doors of employment for others.