Under Article 15(3), the Constitution of India allows for positive discrimination in favor of women. The article, under right to equality, states: "Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children." In addition, the directive principles of State Policy 39(a) state that: "The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood."
Contents
- Mother and Child Tracking System MCTS
- The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana Conditional Maternity Benefit plan CMB
- Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls Sabla
- Rashtriya Mahila Kosh
- Priyadarshini
- References
The Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (National Credit Fund for Women) was set up in 1993 to make credit available for lower income women in India. More recent programmes initiated by the Government of India include the Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS), the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana Conditional Maternity Benefit plan (CMB), and the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – Sabla.
Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS)
The Mother and Child Tracking System, launched in 2009, helps monitor the health care system to ensure that all mothers and their children have access to a range of services, including pregnancy care, medical care during delivery, and immunizations. The system consists of a database of all pregnancies registered at health care facilities since 1 December 2009, and all births since 1 December 2009.
The Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana Conditional Maternity Benefit plan (CMB)
Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY), Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB) is a scheme sponsored by the national government for pregnant and lactating women age 19 and over for their first two live births. The programme, which began in October 2010, provides money to help ensure the good health and nutrition of the recipients. As of March 2013 the programme is being offered in 53 districts around the country.
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – Sabla
The Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – Sabla is an initiative launched in 2012 that targets adolescent girls. The scheme offers a package of benefits to at-risk girls between the ages of 10 and 19. It is being offered initially as a pilot programme in 200 districts. The programme offers a variety of services to help young women become self-reliant, including nutritional supplementation and education, health education and services, and life skills and vocational training.
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (The National Credit Fund for Women) was created by the Government of India in 1993. Its purpose is to provide lower income women with access to loans to begin small businesses .
Priyadarshini
Priyadarshini, initiated in April 2011, is a programme that offers women in seven districts access to self-help groups.