Mission Shakti | General Awareness for SSC CGL PDF Download

Introduction

Mission Shakti, launched in April 2022 by the Government of India,is an integrated umbrella scheme aimed at empowering women and ensuring their safety, security, and dignity across the country. Coordinated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), the mission consolidates various sub-schemes to address critical issues like violence against women, gender-based discrimination, and lack of opportunities for women. It comprises two broad components: Sambal (safety and security) and Samarthya (empowerment). Mission Shakti aligns with national goals of gender equality and women’s empowerment, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 (Gender Equality).

Objectives of Mission Shakti

1. Enhance Safety and Security: Provide a safe environment for women through legal, technological, and institutional interventions.
2. Promote Empowerment: Enable women to achieve economic, social, and political independence.
3. Prevent Gender-Based Violence: Reduce incidents of domestic violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking.
4. Foster Gender Equality: Promote equal access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making for women.
5. Strengthen Institutional Mechanisms: Build robust systems for women’s welfare, including one-stop centers and helplines.
6. Community Mobilization: Engage communities, families, and institutions to change societal attitudes toward women.

Components of Mission Shakti

Mission Shakti integrates existing and new schemes under two main pillars:

1. Sambal (Safety and Security): Focuses on protecting women from violence and ensuring immediate support.

• One Stop Centres (OSC):
  • Integrated centers providing medical, legal, psychological, and counseling support to women affected by violence.
  • Over 700 OSCs operational across India, assisting over 10 lakh women (as of 2023).
• Women Helpline (181):
  • 24/7 emergency response helpline for women in distress.
  • Integrated with police, hospitals, and legal services for quick intervention.
  • Handled over 50 lakh calls since inception.
• Nirbhaya Fund:
  • Dedicated fund (₹7,212 crore allocated) for safety initiatives like fast-track courts, forensic labs, and women’s cells in police stations.
  • Supports projects for prevention of violence against women.
• Mahila E-Seva: Digital platforms for online complaint registration and service access.

2. Samarthya (Empowerment): Focuses on economic and social empowerment of women.

• Swadhar Greh:
  • Shelter homes for women in difficult circumstances, including widows, deserted women, and survivors of trafficking.
  • Provides food, shelter, counseling, and skill training.
• Swavlamban: Skill training and entrepreneurship programs for women to promote self-reliance.
• Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK):
  • Community-level centers providing information, training, and resources on government schemes for women.
  • Over 15,000 MSKs established in rural areas.
• Sanjivani: Holistic care for women survivors of sexual assault, including medical and psychological support.

Key Features of Mission Shakti

Integrated Approach:

• Umbrella scheme consolidating 14 sub-schemes for efficient resource utilization.
• Budget of ₹3,462 crore for 2021-26, with Central Government funding 100% for most components.

Technology Integration:

• Use of apps like MySarkar and e-Shakti for grievance redressal.
• GPS-enabled tracking and emergency buttons in public transport under Nirbhaya Fund.

Convergence with Other Schemes:

• Integration with Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Ujjwala Yojana, and PMKVY for holistic women’s development.
• Collaboration with police, judiciary, and health departments for safety.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• National Mission Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of WCD, oversees implementation.
• Real-time dashboards and MIS for tracking progress and fund utilization.

Community Engagement:

• Involvement of SHGs, NGOs, and local bodies in awareness campaigns.
• Gender sensitization programs for men and boys to prevent violence.

Legal Framework:

• Strengthened implementation of laws like POCSO Act, Domestic Violence Act, and Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act.

Implementation Structure

Central Level:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) as the nodal agency.
• National Mission Steering Committee and Executive Committee for policy and oversight.
• Coordination with Ministries of Home Affairs, Health, and Finance.

State Level:

• State Women’s Commissions and Departments of Women and Child Development implement schemes.
• State-level monitoring committees ensure convergence and fund allocation.

District Level:

• District Magistrates lead District Level Committees for local execution.
• One Stop Centres and Mahila Shakti Kendras operational at district level.

Village/Community Level:

• Gram Panchayats, SHGs, and NGOs drive grassroots interventions.
• Awareness campaigns and skill training at community level.

Private Sector and NGOs:

• Partnerships for funding, training, and service delivery.
• CSR contributions to Nirbhaya Fund and empowerment programs.

Achievements of Mission Shakti

Safety Initiatives:

• Over 10 lakh women assisted through One Stop Centres.
• Women Helpline (181) operational in all states, with over 50 lakh interventions.
• 1,000+ fast-track courts established under Nirbhaya Fund.

Empowerment Outcomes:

• Over 1 crore women benefited from skill training under Swavlamban and MSKs.
• 15,000+ Mahila Shakti Kendras set up, reaching rural women.

Nirbhaya Fund Utilization:

• Over ₹2,000 crore utilized for safety projects like emergency response systems and forensic upgrades.

Legal and Institutional Strengthening:

• Over 5,000 women’s cells in police stations and increased conviction rates in POCSO cases.

Awareness and Behavioral Change:

• Nationwide campaigns reached millions, reducing gender stereotypes.
• Increased reporting of violence due to accessible helplines and centers.

Convergence Benefits:

• Enhanced access to schemes like Ujjwala and PMAY for women survivors.

Challenges of Mission Shakti

Implementation Gaps:

• Uneven coverage in rural and tribal areas due to infrastructure limitations.
• Delays in fund utilization and project execution.

Social Barriers:

• Persistent patriarchal attitudes and under-reporting of violence.
• Stigma around seeking help for domestic issues.

Resource Constraints:

• Shortage of trained counselors and staff in OSCs.
• Limited funding for scaling up empowerment programs.

Monitoring Issues:

• Inconsistent data on violence incidents and scheme outcomes.
• Challenges in real-time tracking in remote areas.

Legal Delays:

• Pendency of cases in fast-track courts and low conviction rates in some states.

Regional Disparities:

• Lower awareness and access in North-Eastern and hilly regions.

Recent Developments and Initiatives

Mission Shakti 2.0 (2023 onwards):

• Enhanced focus on digital safety, cybercrime against women, and economic empowerment.
• Integration with Digital India for online grievance portals.

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (2023):

• New criminal laws strengthening protections against gender-based violence.
• Zero FIR and e-FIR provisions for women complainants.

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023):

• Women’s Reservation Bill for 33% seats in Parliament and state legislatures.
• Aligns with Mission Shakti’s political empowerment goals.

Digital Interventions:

• Launch of Shakti App for safety alerts and helpline integration.
• AI-based monitoring for early detection of violence hotspots.

Convergence Expansion:

• Linkages with Ayushman Bharat for health support to survivors.
• Skill training under PMKVY tailored for women entrepreneurs.

Awareness Campaigns:

• #SheInspiresUs and #NariShakti campaigns to celebrate women’s achievements.

Impact of Mission Shakti

Social Impact:

• Empowered millions of women through safety nets and skill development.
• Reduced gender-based violence through accessible support systems.

Economic Impact:

• Increased women’s participation in workforce via entrepreneurship training.
• Boosted SHGs and micro-enterprises, contributing to rural economies.

Legal Impact:

• Strengthened justice delivery for women victims.
• Higher reporting and conviction rates in gender crimes.

Health Impact:

• Improved psychological and medical support for survivors.
• Reduced secondary victimization through integrated services.

Policy Impact:

• Set a benchmark for women-centric schemes globally.
• Advanced SDG 5 through multi-sectoral interventions.

Monitoring and Evaluation

MWCD Dashboards:

• Real-time tracking of OSC cases, helpline calls, and scheme beneficiaries.
• Annual reports on fund utilization and outcomes.

Third-Party Audits:

• Independent evaluations by NITI Aayog and NGOs.
• Impact assessments on violence reduction and empowerment.

Community Feedback:

• Social audits by SHGs and Gram Sabhas.
• Surveys on women’s satisfaction with services.

Grievance Redressal:

• Integrated helplines and online portals for complaints.
• State-level committees for resolution.

Conclusion

Mission Shakti represents a comprehensive commitment to women’s safety, security, and empowerment in India. By integrating schemes under Sambal and Samarthya, it has provided critical support to millions of women, addressing violence and promoting self-reliance. Achievements like expanded OSCs, helplines, and skill programs highlight its success, while challenges like implementation gaps underscore the need for sustained efforts. With recent developments like digital tools and legal reforms, Mission Shakti is strengthening India’s gender equality framework, ensuring women’s dignity and participation in nation-building.