EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN THROUGH RURAL DEVELOPMENT

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Women’s Empowerment is critical to the social-economic progress of the community and to bring women into the mainstream of national development has, therefore, been a major concern of the Government.

The Ministry of Rural Development has special components for Women in its programmes and funds are earmarked as ‘Women’s Component’ to ensure flow of adequate resources for the same.

The major schemes, having women’s Component (implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development during the year) include the Swarnjyanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), the Restructured Centrally Rural Sanitation Programme and the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme.

According to the Annual Report of the Ministry of Rural Development (2002-2003), under Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY), the total Swarozgaris assisted were 237,464 out of which, achievements for women were 117,199.

Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) which has been launched with effect from April1, 1999 is a holistic programme covering various aspects of self-employment, such as organization of the poor into self-help groups, training, credit, technology, infrastructure and marketing. It is envisaged that 50 per cent of the groups formed in each Block should be exclusively for women who will account for at least 40 per cent of the Swarozgaris.

Under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), it is stipulated that 30% of the employment opportunities should be reserved for women.

Total achievements under this scheme during the year were 1327.66 lakh mandays out of which, achievements for women were 319.40 lakh mandays.

The Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) aims at providing assistance for the construction of houses for people Below the Poverty Line in rural areas. Under the Scheme, priority is extended to widows and unmarried women. It is stipulated that IAY houses are to be allotted in the name of women members of the household or, alternatively, in the joint names of husband and wife.

Total number of Dwelling Units under this scheme during the year were 586,365 out of which, achievements for women were 229,000.

The restructured Centrally Sponsored Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP), which was launched with effect from 1st April 1999, provides for the construction of sanitary latrines for rural household. Where individual household latrines are not feasible, provision exists for construction of village sanitary complexes exclusively for women, to ensure privacy and dignity. Up to 10 per cent of the allocated fund can be utilized for construction and maintenance of public toilets for women.

Under the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP), training is being given to women to enable them to play an active role in using and maintaining hand pumps for the supply of drinking water. Women are also represented in village level committees and are actively involved in the selection of sites for hand pumps and other sources.