A major campaign for women’s empowerment during Navratri, the sixth phase of ‘Mission Shakti’ will begin from March 19

Around 1.32 lakh primary, upper primary, composite schools, and KGBV students across the state will participate

Monitoring through the CM dashboard, real-time reporting mandatory

The objective is to turn respect and empowerment of women into a mass movement: Sandeep Singh

The ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign will develop leadership skills among girls and inspire them to move forward with confidence: Monika Rani

Lucknow, March 2026 : During the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri, the festival celebrates women’s power through the worship of various forms of Goddess Durga. Reflecting this spirit on the ground, the sixth phase of ‘Mission Shakti’ will begin in the state from March 19. This campaign is a commitment to transform the safety, respect, and self-reliance of daughters into a mass movement. All campaign activities will be monitored through the CM dashboard. Additionally, officials at district and block levels have been assigned responsibility for regular reviews.

It is worth noting that this special campaign, from March 19 to 26, will spread the message of women’s empowerment on a large scale through activities ranging from schools to the wider community. This effort is being seen as a significant step toward women’s empowerment. It will play an important role in developing confidence, awareness, and leadership skills among girls, while strengthening a culture of respect and equality for women in society.

Ahead of the campaign, Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh said that the objective of the ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign is to develop a sense of confidence, self-defense, and self-reliance among girls. On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, this campaign aims to turn respect and empowerment of women into a mass movement, so that daughters can become safe, capable, and self-reliant.

This time, the campaign has been linked to Navratri, highlighting various dimensions of women’s power through the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In schools, posters, discussions, and cultural programs will help build confidence among girls and promote respect in society.

Poster competitions, street plays, rallies, speeches, dialogue programs, and film screenings will be organized in around 1.32 lakh primary, upper primary, and composite schools across the state. Girls from all Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas in the state will also participate.

Along with self defence training, girls will be made aware of helpline numbers, cybercrime, FIR processes, and issues like child marriage with the help of the police department. Efforts will also be made to connect them with banking processes, self-help groups, and skill training (such as stitching and embroidery) to make them self-reliant.

Monika Rani, Director General, School Education said, “Through activities organized at the school level, girls will be made aware of their rights, safety, and self-defence. The ‘Mission Shakti’ campaign will become an effective medium to develop leadership skills among girls and inspire them to move forward with confidence.

Mission Shakti: Day-wise program

March 19: Poster-making based on the nine forms of Navdurga and discussions on Navratri

March 20: Street plays based on the nine forms of Durga and rallies with placards carrying slogans related to child rights and safety

March 21: Providing exposure by appointing girls to key positions at school, block, tehsil, and district levels

March 22: Celebration of Meena Day, screening of the film Nidar, rallies, street plays, and inviting public representatives and parents

March 23: Visits to banks and hospitals and related skill training

March 24: Visits by district, block, and tehsil-level women officers and renowned women to schools, interaction with girls, conducting self-defense sessions, and formation of self-defense clubs

March 25: Visits of girls to the nearest police station, awareness about helplines, FIR, and legal processes

March 26: Street plays on various social issues such as gender stereotypes, child marriage, and government schemes for women