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Introduction

The “Sangathan Se Samriddhi– Leaving no Rural Woman Behind” campaign is a national campaign launched by the Ministry of Rural Development to mobilize 10 crore rural women into Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The campaign aims to empower rural women economically and socially, and to leave no rural woman behind.

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Footprints of this campaign on women’s economic empowerment and social inclusion in rural India

• Skills Training: This campaign provides vocational training to rural women, enabling them to acquire new skills and enhance their employability. For instance, tailoring and handicraft-making skills can help women set up small businesses.
• Financial Literacy: It helps women gain financial literacy, which is crucial for economic independence. Understanding basic banking, savings, and credit schemes empowers these women to make informed financial decisions.
• Awareness of Rights: It raises awareness about legal and social rights, making rural women more confident and assertive. Knowing their rights helps women resist oppressive practices like dowry and domestic abuse.
• Increased Income: With the skills and financial resources they gain, many rural women have started income-generating activities. This not only boosts their household income but also reduces their dependence on men, promoting gender equality.
• Leadership Roles: Some rural women have leveraged their economic and social empowerment to take up leadership roles in their communities. They’ve become sarpanchs, members of panchayats, and leaders in local cooperatives.

Potential challenges in scaling up this initiative to engage 1 crore women

• Financial Constraints: Implementing the initiative at a larger scale requires vast financial resources. Government allocations, such as the budget for National Rural Livelihood Mission, may need significant enhancement to ensure funding for the campaign’s scaling up.
• Geographical Reach: Engaging women in remote areas, like those in Ladakh or the Sundarbans, presents logistical challenges. The geographical spread and difficult terrain can make service delivery challenging.
• Literacy and Education: Low literacy rates among rural women, especially in states like Bihar, can be a barrier to their participation in training programs. This digital divide, which is stark in rural India, poses significant obstacles to leveraging digital platforms for engagement.
• Cultural Barriers: Traditional societal norms in regions like Rajasthan, where women’s mobility is often restricted, can limit women’s participation. Changing these entrenched norms is a slow and challenging process.

Way ahead in this regard

• Enhanced Funding: Ensuring adequate funding is critical. Both public and private entities need to increase investment. Eg: the Indian government can increase its budget allocation for women’s empowerment initiatives, while corporations can contribute through CSR.
• Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between public and private sectors can accelerate the initiative’s impact. Successful models like Pradan, which works with rural women for livelihood creation, could be emulated and scaled up through such partnerships.
• Community Mobilization: Involving the community, particularly men and local leaders, is important to change cultural norms and create a supportive environment for women. An example is the ‘HeForShe’ campaign by UN Women, which could be adapted to engage men in rural areas.
• Digitization: Using digital tools can enhance outreach and program effectiveness. For instance, digital literacy programs or online marketplaces, like ePanchayat, an initiative by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, can help women access information, services, and economic opportunities.
  
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Regular monitoring and evaluation are crucial for measuring the initiative’s impact and identifying areas for improvement. Mechanisms like Social Impact Assessment can provide valuable insights for future planning.

Conclusion

Overall, this campaign is a promising initiative that has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of rural women. It can transform the rural landscape by giving women a voice and a place in their communities, engaging them as agents of change, reshaping societal norms and driving sustainable development in rural India.

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