The Uttar Pradesh government has taken an initiative to sensitise men about the rights of women and instill in them a sense of gender equality in the fourth phase of Mission Shakti, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s flagship programme for women empowerment. The drive is also aimed at ensuring safety, dignity, empowerment and self-reliance of women.
“In the last three months alone, the government has conducted a series of awareness drives in this regard which have benefitted as many as 5.38 lakh men across the state,” a government spokesman said here on Money.
Director, Women Welfare and Child Development, Manoj Rai said more than 8.93 crore people, including men, women and children of the state, have been made aware of the need for gender equality in society through seminars and workshops so far under the campaign which was launched in October, 2020. “We reached out to over 3.63 crore men and more than 5.29 crore women to achieve the larger objective of gender equality in society,” he said.
More than 12.53 lakh people, including 5,38,175 men and 7,15,439 women, were made aware of women’s rights across the state through seminars and workshops within three months from April 1 to June 30.
Empowering women and raising awareness about women’s rights contributes to limiting the power of gender stereotypes that prevent women from participating fully in social, professional and public life and deprive them of full citizenship.
The state government is striving to make men aware of the legal rights of women and to educate them about the benefits of its women-centric welfare schemes. Special awareness programmes are also being organised in the state about various laws and provisions related to violence against women and children.