MGNREGA Opens New Paths for Employment and Self-Reliance for Women

Raipur, March 2026: The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) is playing a significant role in strengthening the economic empowerment of rural women. In Mungeli district, the scheme is providing women with employment opportunities, skill development, and sustainable livelihood options. As a result, women are becoming financially stronger and socially empowered within their communities.

Under the scheme, more than 98,512 women in the district have received employment so far. In the 2025–26 financial year, 69,927 women have been provided employment amounting to 19.56 lakh person-days of work. Through this, each woman has earned an average income of more than ₹7,000, which has helped improve their financial condition and support their families.

To further enhance women’s income, livelihood ponds (locally known as “Dabri”) are being constructed under MGNREGA. These small water bodies are helping women engage in activities such as fish farming, vegetable cultivation, and agricultural work, allowing them to generate additional income and strengthen their livelihoods.

Along with employment generation, efforts are also being made to improve workers’ skills. Under Project Unnati, special training programmes are being organised for labourers to enhance their capabilities. Through the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI), a 13-day residential training programme was conducted in which women from 35 self-help groups were trained as “Krishi Sakhis” (agriculture facilitators). This training equips them with agricultural knowledge and practical skills, enabling them to guide other farmers and contribute to rural development.

To increase women’s participation in the implementation of MGNREGA works, priority is also being given to them for Mate positions, which involve supervising and coordinating labour work at project sites. So far, 1,117 women in the district have been selected as Mates. They are playing an important role in coordinating workers and ensuring smooth execution of work at various sites.

In addition, women who are interested are being provided approval for beneficiary-oriented works such as Dabri construction, cattle sheds, goat sheds, and pig sheds. These initiatives are helping rural women create sustainable sources of livelihood.

Through these efforts, women in rural areas are gaining access to stable income opportunities and are moving steadily toward economic independence and self-reliance, while also contributing to the development of their families and communities.