Delhi, 23 July (H.S.): The Government of India is actively enhancing women's health, hygiene, and status through various initiatives such as the Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. These programs have notably reduced women's drudgery and improved health outcomes, exemplified by the construction of over 11.8 crore individual household latrines under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the provision of tap water connections to around 15.6 crore households via the Jal Jeevan Mission.

To ensure affordable access to sanitary napkins and quality medicines, the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janausadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) has established over 16,000 Janaushidhi Kendras, which offer Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins named Suvidha at an economical rate of Rs. 1 per pad. Additionally, the 'Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene' targets adolescent girls aged 10-19, supported by the National Health Mission. This scheme promotes awareness about menstrual hygiene and provides subsidized sanitary napkin packs through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA). It also allocates budgets for orienting field-level health workers and implementing information, education, and communication (IEC) activities focused on menstrual hygiene.

Moreover, the Ministry of Women and Child Development's Sakhi Niwas Scheme (Working Women Hostel) facilitates safe accommodation for working women and female students in urban and rural areas. This demand-driven scheme provides financial aid for running Sakhi Niwas and includes provisions for daycare centers for children of residents.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance allocated Rs. 5,000 crores to 28 States for constructing new Working Women Hostels under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme, approving 254 hostels with a capacity of 52,991 beds. These initiatives collectively endeavor to ensure women's safety, dignity, and opportunities, aligning with the vision of 'Women led Development,' as articulated by Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur in the Rajya Sabha.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar