Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme

• Government of India is implementing Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme to empower rural women through community participation.
• The scheme is envisaged to work at various levels, and at the National level (domain based knowledge support) and State level (State Resource Centre for Women) technical support to the respective governments on issues related to women is provided.

About Mahila Shakti Kendra:

• This scheme "Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra (PMMSK) is envisaged to work at various levels.
• The national level (domain based knowledge support) and state level (State Resource Centre for Women) structures will provide technical support to the respective governments on issues related to women.
• The district and block level centres will provide support to PMMSK and also give a foothold to Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme in 640 districts to be covered in a phased manner.
• The scheme will provide an interface for rural women to approach the government for availing their entitlements and for empowering them through training and capacity building.
• Community engagement through Student Volunteers is envisioned in 115 most backward districts as part of the PMMSK Block level initiatives.
• Student volunteers will play an instrumental role in awareness generation regarding various important government schemes/ programmes as well as social issues.
• More than 3 lakh student volunteers from local colleges are proposed to be engaged in this process, while association with NSS/NCC cadre students will also be an option.
• The outcome based activities of student volunteers will be monitored through web based system. On completion, certificates for community service, will be displayed on national portal for verification and can also be used as a resource for the participating students in future.
• This decision to involve student volunteers is aimed at building a spirit of voluntary community service and gender equality.

By: Vishal