Telangana Leads The Way In Women Empowerment With Powerful Initiatives

Under the leadership of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, Telangana today holds an enviable position in various State Developmental Indices. It is the vision of the Chief Minister to stand with the underprivileged and disadvantaged, which continues to propel the state towards enhancing individual empowerment, social empowerment, educational empowerment, economic and occupational empowerment, legal empowerment, and political empowerment of women in Telangana. Year on year the outlay for such schemes has increased, providing a livelihood of hope, security, and pride to women in Telangana. 

Carefully crafted and implemented, landmark schemes by the State Government include Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak, Asara Pension, KCR-Kit, Arogya Lakshmi, Stree-Nidhi, among the 28 welfare schemes for Gender Empowerment that bring smiles and social justice to the women of Telangana. 

With an outlay of Rs. 9,670 crores, Kalyana Lakshmi and Shaadi Mubarak schemes help alleviate the financial distress of poor families. Under the schemes, the Government sanctions one-time financial assistance of Rs. 1,00,116 at the time of marriage for brides, who are residents of the State. These Schemes are for unmarried girls, who have completed 18 years of age at the time of marriage and whose parental income is less than Rs. 2 lakh per annum. 

On the other hand, KCR-Kit, which received SKOCH Award in New Delhi, was launched as a welfare scheme for pregnant woman and her newborn. The main objective of this project is to reduce the Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate in the State. A whopping Rs 605 crore has been allocated for the scheme, providing mothers and their newborns with 16 items, worth Rs 2,000 - including clothes, quality baby soaps, baby oil, baby powder, mosquito nets, toys, napkins, and diapers. The KCR-KIT scheme has over 13,29,951 beneficiaries and is being hailed as one of the important successful interventions, resulting in making the state third best in reducing Maternal Mortality Rate, in the country. 

Women feel safer in Telangana than anywhere else with the introduction of She-Teams. Under this scheme, about 100 teams were formed keeping in view of the Telangana Government's vision for safe and secure environment for women. 

The aim of these teams is to curb eve-teasing and harassment of women in public places. For this purpose the She-Teams constantly patrol various public places like bus stops, railway stations, colleges, schools, ladies hostels, parks, and even hospitals ensuring women's and girls' safety. 

Initially set up in Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police Commissionerates, She-Teams have now been expanded to all the districts following encouraging results.