Women’s well-being is a key focus of India’s development agenda, with numerous government initiatives aimed at improving healthcare, financial empowerment, education, and safety. Recognizing the unique challenges women face, India has implemented various national and state-level programs to promote gender
Women’s Health & Wellness Programs India has launched several initiatives to enhance maternal health, menstrual hygiene, and cancer screening to improve the well-being of women.
Maternal & Reproductive Health
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Provides financial assistance for the first live birth, ensuring better nutrition and healthcare.
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): Offers free antenatal checkups in government hospitals.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): Encourages institutional deliveries through cash incentives to reduce maternal mortality.
National Health Mission (NHM) & RMNCH+A: Focuses on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health to provide integrated healthcare. Ayushman Bharat - PMJAY: Offers free healthcare for critical illnesses, benefiting economically disadvantaged women. Menstrual Hygiene & Awareness Menstrual Hygiene Scheme: Provides low-cost sanitary pads in rural areas to promote menstrual hygiene.
Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin Initiative: Encourages local sanitary pad production through self-help groups (SHGs), providing employment to women.
Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening National Program for Prevention & Control of Cancer (NPCDCS): Focuses on early detection and screening of breast and cervical cancer. HPV Vaccination Programs: Increasing accessibility of HPV vaccines in government hospitals to prevent cervical cancer. Financial & Employment Support for Women Several financial schemes and employment programs empower women by providing microloans, self-employment opportunities, and skill development.
Entrepreneurship & Financial Aid Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): A microfinance initiative providing small loans to low-income women. Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK): Offers skill development training and employment counseling. MUDRA Yojana: Provides loans up to ₹10 lakh to women entrepreneurs without collateral. Stand-Up India Scheme: Encourages SC/ST and women entrepreneurs by providing bank loans. Employment & Livelihood Programs National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) – Aajeevika: Supports self-help groups (SHGs) for rural women’s entrepreneurship. Working Women Hostel Scheme: Provides safe and affordable accommodation with daycare facilities.
Women’s Safety & Legal Protection Women's safety and security remain a national priority. The government has implemented several protective laws and support centers to combat violence and harassment.
Government Safety Initiatives One Stop Centres (OSCs): Provide medical, legal, and psychological support to women facing violence. Nirbhaya Fund: Funds projects for women’s safety, including emergency helplines and CCTV surveillance. SHE Teams & Women’s Helplines (1091, 181): Police-led anti-harassment squads ensuring women’s safety.
Legal Protection for Women Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Legal aid and shelter homes for victims of domestic violence. Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013: Ensures safe working environments for women. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Promotes gender equality, education, and protection of girl children.
Education & Digital Inclusion for Women India is focusing on bridging gender gaps in education and promoting digital literacy for women's empowerment. Educational Initiatives National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE): Provides financial aid to encourage school completion. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Supports girls’ education and discourages gender discrimination. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): A savings scheme for higher education and marriage of girl children. Digital & STEM Empowerment DigiSaathi & STEM for Girls: Encourages women’s participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): Promotes digital banking and financial literacy for women entrepreneurs. State-Specific Women Welfare Programs Many state governments run additional women-centric schemes to support health, education, and financial independence. Tamil Nadu Ammavodi Scheme: Provides free transportation for female students. Pudhumai Penn Scheme: Monthly stipends for girl students in government schools. Maharashtra Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree Yojana: Encourages investment in girls’ education. Tejaswini Initiative: A women’s skill development program. West Bengal Kanyashree Prakalpa: Offers direct cash transfers to promote girl education. Rupashree Scheme: Provides financial assistance for the marriage of girls from poor families. Uttar Pradesh Mukhya Mantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana: Supports girl child education and marriage. Mahila Samarthya Yojana: Promotes women’s entrepreneurship. Challenges & The Way Forward Despite significant progress, challenges remain in awareness, implementation, and accessibility of these programs. Key Challenges Lack of awareness: Many eligible women do not know about the available schemes. Implementation gaps: Some programs suffer from bureaucratic delays. Safety concerns: Gender-based violence continues to be a pressing issue. Steps for Improvement Better awareness campaigns: More outreach programs and digital platforms. Stronger law enforcement: Strict implementation of women’s safety laws. More funding & accessibility: Improving the reach of healthcare and financial programs.
India has taken substantial steps to enhance women’s health, financial independence, safety, and education through well-structured policies and schemes like PMMVY, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Mudra Yojana, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. These programs have empowered millions of women, helping them gain better healthcare access, financial security, and legal protection.
