The Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) was launched in 2010 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to cater to the nutritional and developmental requirements of out-of-school girls between the ages of 11–14 years. The scheme was launched with the aim of enhancing their health and nutritional levels, encouraging them to resume formal schooling and imparting life skills training.
The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), previously called the Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB)- the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana, was implemented by the Government of India on 1st January 2017. It was first launched in 2010 and renamed in 2017. It is a centrally sponsored scheme executed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, outlined to provide maternity benefits to support pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Back in June 2011, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, launched the Aajeevika- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). It is one of the flagship programs to alleviate poverty, which aims to reduce poverty by enabling poor households to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities, resulting in sustainable and diversified livelihood options for the poor.
India's journey towards inclusive development has consistently recognized the vital role women play in the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the nation. As part of this broader commitment, the Government of India launched Mission Shakti, a comprehensive initiative under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
India's family planning programme, one of the oldest in the world, has seen considerable evolution. Yet, national progress masks deep regional inequalities.
The Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW), launched under the Ministry of Women and Child Development as part of the ‘Mission Shakti’ scheme, represents a transformative approach to addressing the multi-dimensional needs of women in India. Developed under the Samarthya sub-scheme, HEW serves as a comprehensive, one-stop support system that facilitates inter-sectoral convergence across services, schemes, and programs meant for women. It aims to ensure that women can access information, benefits, and entitlements in a streamlined and efficient manner, thereby fostering their holistic empowerment and participation in society. It reflects the government’s larger commitment to ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable development, aligning with international goals like SDG 5: Gender Equality and national visions like Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Gender in India isn’t just about men and women—it intersects with caste, class, and regional identities, making the journey toward equality complex yet essential. From legal reforms to shifting cultural mindsets, younger generations are questioning the norms they’ve inherited, pushing for a more egalitarian future.