Dr. Rajkumar Singh
Mission Shakti is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at empowering women across various dimensions-social, economic, and legal. The mission integrates various programs and schemes for women’s safety, security, and empowerment under one umbrella. An overview of the key aspects include: a. Components of Mission Shakti:Sambal: Focuses on the safety and security of women, including measures like strengthening helplines, improving infrastructure in police stations, and providing legal aid. Samarthya: Centres on the empowerment of women, addressing issues such as education, employment, and financial independence. b.Initiatives under Mission Shakti: One Stop Centres (OSCs): Provide support to women affected by violence. These centres offer legal, medical, and counselling services. Women Helpline (181): A 24-hour helpline to support women in distress. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Aims to address the declining child sex ratio and promote the education of girls. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): A maternity benefit program for pregnant and lactating women. c. Objectives: Safety and Security: Protect women from all forms of violence. Empowerment: Ensure equal opportunities for women in education, employment, and leadership roles.Legal Rights: Strengthen the enforcement of laws related to women’s rights and create awareness about legal protections. d. Impact:Mission Shakti has been instrumental in creating a safer environment for women and has empowered them economically and socially. The integrated approach has ensured that various government schemes and initiatives work in tandem to address the multifaceted challenges women face. e. Recent Developments: The mission is continuously evolving with new programs and initiatives being introduced to address emerging challenges related to women’s empowerment. Mission Shakti is a comprehensive approach to ensuring that women in India have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to lead safe, dignified, and empowered lives. Kinds and impacts: Mission Shakti is a comprehensive initiative by the Government of India that focuses on empowering women through various kinds of programs and schemes. The mission has different components that address the multifaceted challenges faced by women, aiming to improve their social, economic, and legal status.Kinds of Mission Shakti: a. Sambal (Safety and Security):One Stop Centres (OSCs): Provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence. These centres offer legal, medical, and counselling services.Women Helpline (181): A 24-hour national helpline to support women in distress, providing them with immediate assistance. Emergency Response Support System (ERSS): A pan-India emergency helpline (112) that integrates with police, fire, and ambulance services to provide immediate assistance to women.Mahila Police Volunteers (MPVs): Women volunteers who act as a bridge between the police and the community to report incidents of violence and harassment against women. b. Samarthya (Empowerment):National Creche Scheme: Provides day-care facilities for children of working mothers, enabling women to pursue employment. Self-Help Groups (SHGs): Promote women’s entrepreneurship and financial independence by providing access to credit and training.Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK): Aimed at empowering rural women through community participation and skill development programs. c. Legal and Policy Support:Nari Adalat: A platform for women to resolve disputes through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.Gender Budgeting: Integrating gender perspectives into the budgeting process to ensure resources are allocated to programs that benefit women.Awareness Campaigns: Various initiatives to educate women about their rights and legal protections.Impacts of the Mission include: a. Enhanced Safety and Security:The establishment of OSCs and the women’s helpline has provided immediate relief and support to women facing violence, making it easier for them to seek help and justice.ERSS has made emergency response more efficient, ensuring quick assistance for women in distress. b. Economic Empowerment:Through Self-Help Groups and skill development initiatives, women have gained access to financial resources, enabling them to start businesses and become economically independent. The National Creche Scheme has supported working mothers by providing quality childcare, allowing them to pursue employment without worrying about their children’s well-being. c. Legal Awareness and Rights Protection:Awareness campaigns and initiatives like Nari Adalat have empowered women to assert their rights and seek legal recourse in cases of injustice.Gender Budgeting has ensured that government resources are allocated in a way that benefits women, promoting gender equality in various sectors. Thus, the Mission Shakti has made significant strides in creating an environment where women feel safer, more empowered, and more aware of their rights. Psychological Factors: The psychology behind the Mission Shakti initiative is deeply rooted in the concepts of empowerment, safety, and agency, aiming to shift both individual and collective mindsets towards gender equality. It seeks to address the psychological barriers that women face due to societal norms, systemic discrimination, and internalized oppression. An overview of the concept include: a. Empowerment: Sense of Control: Mission Shakti aims to instil a sense of control in women over their lives, encouraging them to make decisions independently. This can lead to improved self-esteem and confidence, reducing feelings of helplessness.Self-Efficacy: Through skill development, financial independence, and education initiatives, women are given the tools to believe in their ability to achieve their goals. Higher self-efficacy is linked to better mental health and resilience. b.Breaking the Cycle of Learned Helplessness:Learned Helplessness: Many women, due to prolonged exposure to gender-based discrimination and violence, may develop a sense of learned helplessness, where they feel incapable of changing their situation. Mission Shakti provides resources and support systems, like One Stop Centres and helplines, to help women break out of this cycle and regain their agency.Support Systems: The psychological impact of having access to a robust support system cannot be overstated. Knowing that there are resources and people who will help can reduce anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. c. Social and Community Psychology:Collective Empowerment: Mission Shakti doesn’t just focus on individual women but also on collective empowerment, such as through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This collective approach builds solidarity among women, fostering a sense of community, shared purpose, and mutual support.Community Engagement: Programs like Mahila Shakti Kendras involve the community in the process of empowering women, which helps to create an environment where women’s rights and contributions are respected and valued. d. Reducing Gender-Based Violence:Psychological Impact of Violence: Gender-based violence has severe psychological effects, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. By addressing this through safety and legal initiatives, Mission Shakti aims to reduce the prevalence of violence and provide support to those who have been affected, helping them to heal and rebuild their lives.Trauma-Informed Care: Services provided under Mission Shakti, such as those in One Stop Centres, are often designed to be trauma-informed, meaning they consider the psychological impact of trauma and aim to provide care that helps to mitigate its effects. In short, it is designed to address both the external and internal barriers to women’s empowerment.
(The writer is a youth motivator and former Head of the University Department of Political Science, B.N. Mandal University, Madhepura)
