Women in Chhattisgarh are highly active partners in progress of the entire State as there is 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayat Raj institutions, a Government statement said on the eve of the International Women’s Day which is scheduled for March 8.
“They (women) have already proved their worth in running the house and now they have excelled as people’s representatives in the local bodies and as decision-makers. Women work in Anganwaadis, as helpers, supervisors, in self-help groups, as nutrition aid workers and many other fields are highly exemplary,’’ the statement added.
“There are many schemes of the state government which make women empowered and self-confident. Women were partners in the economic progress of Chhattisgarh since many years,’’ Chief Minister Raman Singh was quoted in the statement.
Official data shows that women in Chhattisgarh are economically independent by operating ration shops, textile shops, sewing centres, hotels, wholesale shops of papads, pickles, beauty parlours, fair-price shops, prepare nutritious diet for Anganwadis, and preparing mid-day meals for schools.
About 15,000 women self-help groups make ready-to-eat food for nearly 50,000 Anganwadi centres and mini-Anganwadis in Chhattisgarh.
Roughly 20,000 women work in self-help groups providing breakfast and hot food for children in these centres. The progress of women is ensured by giving them 50 percent quotas in Panchayat Raj institutions.
The number of malnutritioned children had rapidly declined due to the enthusiastic response of women. There are 33 per cent under-nourished children in the State while earlier it was 52 percent according to National Family Health Survey.
Chhattisgarh government charges one percent less if the Registration of land is in women’s name. Cycles are distributed free of cost to girls of 9th and 10 standard under the Saraswati Cycle Yojana.
Chhattisgarh government has passed several laws to make the lives of women and children secure. laws were passed to make domestic violence a crime. Emergency help line-1091 is in operation to protect women and children. Nutritious diet is fed to pregnant women and lactating mothers. Double Fortified salt is given under the ‘Mahatari lahika’ programme to the women.