Women have been facing a range of problems like gender-based discrimination, inequality, patriarchy, stereotyped thinking, etc. India has come a long way from the time when girls were killed before they even got the chance to breathe in the world to this present time where conditions are much better for girl children but still, the country and its people have a long way in front of them to cover.
The central and state governments have been working on various govt schemes and government programs to improve the existing system and make the nation completely safe, secure, and equal for girl children. All the schemes are different but they all share the same aim and that is to make India one of the most safest and progressive countries for girl children so that they can grow up to be successful women.
What Are Government Schemes For Girl Child?
The central and state governments have been working on various government schemes and programs with just one primary objective and that is to provide girl children with all the things that they need for wholesome growth and development like access to quality education, nutritious food, clean water, loan and scholarship opportunities, etc.
Condition Of Girl Child In India
Girls and women have been facing a myriad of issues such as gender discrimination, inequality in workplaces and educational settings, feelings of inferiority, and the list is never-ending, and have been fighting against them for centuries. The worst part about the struggles girls face and continue even after growing up is that those struggles aren’t considered as struggles by men and at times, most the women themselves too. Girls aren’t only required to fight against the hypocrisy of men but women as well. However, India has been progressing in the right direction and the condition of girls has been improving with time.
Central Government Schemes For Girl Children
The central government has launched several Sarkari schemes for the upliftment of girl children. Some of the major central govt schemes for girl children are listed below in brief:
1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is a central government scheme launched in the year 2015 to promote and encourage girls to pursue education and also reduce the unequal ratio of girls and boys. The Sarkari Yojana also targets issues like dropout rates of girls and gender-based discrimination. The scheme works on improving the infrastructure of schools, ensuring that quality education is delivered to girl children, along with opportunities for scholarships and others.
Read More: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
2. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) is a central govt scheme launched as a component of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme. The central govt scheme is a savings scheme that aims to create and build financial security so that girls can use those funds after reaching a certain age to build their careers and lives. Parents can open an account under the SSY scheme for girl children below the age of 10 years and invest small amounts of money as per their convenience upon which higher interest will be accumulated.
Read More: Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
3. Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY)
The Balika Samriddhi Yojana (BSY) is a central govt scheme launched in the year 1997 to provide monetary support to girl children coming from families who fall Below the Poverty Line (BPL). Under the Sarkari Yojana, govt provides Rs. 500 to families on the birth of a girl child and later annual support ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1000 till they at least complete their education up to 10th standard.
Read More: Balika Samriddhi Yojana
4. CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program
The CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program is a Sarkari Yojana launched by the Ministry of Education wherein girl children are allowed to secure scholarships offered by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to girls in 11th standard with excellent academic records who come from economically vulnerable sections of society.
Read More: CBSE Udaan Scholarship Program
5. National Scheme Of Incentives To Girls For Secondary Education
The National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education was launched by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education in the year 2008. The govt scheme aims to promote and encourage girls, especially from SC/ST communities to pursue education. The Sarkari Yojana also provides financial support of Rs. 3000 upon which interest is accumulated and the girls can access the same funds after reaching the age of 18 years.
State Government Schemes For Girl Child
The state govt has launched several govt schemes for the betterment of girl children so that they can build their futures and grow both, personally and professionally. Some of the major state govt schemes for girl children are listed below in brief:
1. Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana (MKSY)
The Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana (MKSY) is a state govt scheme launched by the state govt of Bihar in the year 2007. The Sarkari Yojana provides monetary aid of Rs. 2000 upon the birth of girl children which is deposited as a fixed deposit upon which interest is incurred and the funds can be accessed by the girl child after reaching the age of 18 years. The scheme is especially for families who fall Below the Poverty Line (BPL).
2. Ladli Lakshmi Yojana
The state govt of Madhya Pradesh launched the Ladli Lakshmi Yojana under the Department of Women and Child Development in the year 2007. The state govt scheme provides monetary support ranging from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 6000 to girls studying between the classes of 6th-8th. The Sarkari Yojana provides an additional deposit of Rs. 25000 to girls wanting to pursue graduation or other professional courses.
Read More: Ladli Lakshmi Yojana
3. Delhi Ladli Yojana
The state govt of Delhi launched the Delhi Ladli Yojana in the year 2008 intending to create a sound financial background for girl children coming from economically disadvantaged sections of society. Under the scheme, Rs. 11000 is given to the families of the girls if mothers had institutional deliveries or Rs. 10000 if mothers had home deliveries. Also, in addition, a deposit of Rs. 5000 is given to girls if they are enrolled in 1st, 6th, 9th, 11th, or 12th standards.
Read More: Delhi Ladli Yojana
4. Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana
The Mukhyamantri Rajshri Yojana is a state govt yojana launched by the state govt of Rajasthan in the year 2008. The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs. 50000 on the birth of the girl children so that they can pursue higher education. An additional sum of Rs. 2500 is given to the girl’s mother, Rs. 2500 on a year of vaccination, and Rs. 2000 on two years of complete vaccination. The Yojana also aims to reduce and eventually eliminate the rate of child marriages and decrease the mortality rate of girl children in the state.
5. Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme
The state govt of Maharashtra launched the Mazi Kanya Bhagyashree Scheme to improve the lives of girl children from low-income families by providing them with financial support. Mothers with a single girl child are entitled to receive Rs. 5000 till the girl reaches the age of 18 years and families with 2 girl children are entitled to receive Rs. 25000 so that they can nurture their children without financial stress or any other difficulties.
6. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme was launched by the state govt of Tamil Nadu. Under the scheme, the state govt deposits Rs. 50000 to those girl children born after August 01st, 2011, and if there are two girl children, the sum is divided between the two. The amount is deposited as a fixed deposit and can be accessed by the girls after reaching the age of 18 years.
Read More: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Girl Child Protection Scheme
7. Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana
The Nanda Devi Kanya Yojana was launched by the state govt of Uttarakhand in the year 2009 for the betterment of girl children residing in the state. The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs. 5000 to those girl children born after January 01st, 2009. The amount is deposited as a fixed deposit and can be accessed by the girls after reaching the age of 18 years.
Measures That The Government Can Focus On
The central and state governments are doing exceptional work in ideating and launching new government schemes for the betterment of girl children focusing on as many aspects of the girls’ lives as possible. However, the government of India and other state governments can also focus on improving infrastructure in rural areas, including psychologists in social awareness campaigns, having one-to-one conversations with the families of the girls, and other such measures.
Conclusion
The central and state governments have launched several govt schemes for the betterment of girl children and they have proven themselves to be a boon in the lives of not only the girls but their families as well.
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