Lok Sabha Question No. 4633 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Empowerment and Welfare Programmes for Women
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Md. Rakibul Hussain

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4633

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## EMPOWERMENT AND WELFARE PROGRAMMES FOR WOMEN

## 4633. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  measures  being  taken  to  improve  access  to  women-centric  welfare programmes, such as the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme, in Dhubri, particularly for rural and tribal communities;
- (b) the manner in which the Government is addressing the issue of women's health,including maternal  and  child  health  by  ensuring  that  women  in  Dhubri  have  access  to  quality healthcare services especially in remote and flood-prone areas; and
- (c) whether any initiatives aimed at promoting women's participation in economic activities, such as skills training, entrepreneurship programmes and financial inclusion efforts have been  initiated  in  Dhubri  to  improve  their  livelihood  opportunities,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a)&(b):  The  government  gives  utmost  priority  to  the  safety,  security,  and  empowerment  of women in the country. It has adopted a multi-pronged approach on a life-cycle continuum basis to address the issues of women, including those from rural and tribal communities in Dhubri, focusing on their educational, social, economic, and political empowerment, so that they can lead the process of India's development.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme was launched on 22nd January 2015 to help address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of empowerment of girls and women. The scheme focuses on creating mindset and behavioural change towards the girl child by informing, influencing, motivating, engaging, and empowering all stakeholders. In Mission Shakti guideline implemented from 1 April 2022 ,Beti Bachao Beti Padaho scheme has been expanded to cover all the districts of the country through multisectoral interventions. BBBP has transformed from a  policy  initiative  into  a  national  movement  by  mobilizing  various  stakeholders,  including government agencies, media, civil society, and the general public.

In the past few years, a number of initiatives have been taken to address women's health, particularly maternal and child health in Dhubri, ensuring that women, especially in remote and flood-prone areas, have access to quality healthcare services.

Key initiatives/program include:

- Free Health Checkups : Providing free health checkups at 8 ICDS Project Levels in collaboration with the Health Department.
- Anaemia Checkup Camps : Conducting anaemia checkup camps at the 8 ICDS Project Levels, in partnership with the Health Department.
- Awareness  Campaigns: Promoting  child  health  schemes  such  as  NRC  (Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres) and Poshan (Nutrition) at 25 flood relief camps.
- Training Healthcare Workers: Providing training to healthcare  workers on important legislations like the PC&PNDT Act and the MTP Act during a 100-day special awareness campaign.
- Improved Healthcare Access: Increasing the availability of essential medicines, sanitary napkins,  and  ensuring  that  healthcare  facilities  are  equipped  to  handle  emergencies, particularly in remote and flood-affected areas.

(c): Several  programs  have  been  launched  to  encourage  women's  participation  in  economic activities  in  various  blocks  of  Dhubri,  focusing  on  skill  development,  vocational  training,  and financial inclusion. Key initiatives include:

- Digital Literacy: 120 women and girls have been trained in computer courses across Dhubri District including the Dhubri Town, Golokganj, Bilasipara, and Chapar blocks.
- Tailoring Training: 30 women and girls have received tailoring training in Dhubri town.
- Self-Defence Workshops: Around 1,200 girls have been trained in self-defense at different locations in the blocks such as the Gauripur Public Library, Bilasipara Partima Pandey Auditorium  Hall,  and  at  5  nos.  of  Kasturba  Gandhi  Balika  Vidyalaya  in  Chapar, Mahamaya, Bilasipara, Nayeralga, and Debitola.
- Detergent  Powder  Making  Workshops:  72  women  were  trained  in  detergent  powder production at the Gauripur Block.
- Entrepreneurship Support: Women participants in tailoring and detergent powder making workshops have received guidance on entrepreneurship, with detailed information about Stand Up India and MUDRA Yojana to support their business ventures.
- Financial  Inclusion:  A  total  of  20  enrolment  drives  for  the  Sukanya  Samriddhi  Yojana (SSY) have been conducted in collaboration with the Post Office and Lead Bank Manager.

*****