Through ‘Fourth Women’s Policy – 2024’, Maharashtra Will Create a Supportive Environment for Women and Girls: Deputy CM Eknath Shinde

Instructions Issued to Develop a Comprehensive App for Women in Mumbai

Mumbai – Deputy Chief Minister and Mumbai Guardian Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized that the Maharashtra government is committed to creating an empowering environment for women and girls through the implementation of the Fourth Women’s Policy – 2024. He directed officials to develop a comprehensive mobile app for women in Mumbai, enabling them to access all schemes and services at one place.

Shinde was speaking at the District-Level Steering Committee meeting on the implementation of the Fourth Women’s Policy–2024. The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to the Deputy CM Navin Sona, District Collector Aanchal Goyal, Additional Collector Ravi Ratan Katkadond, Resident Deputy Collector Dr. Shivananda Langdapure, Deputy Collector Mahadev Kirwale, Social Welfare Officer Ravikiran Patil, Assistant Commissioner (Skill Development) Shailesh Bhagat, and Women and Child Development Officer Shobha Shelar, among others.

The Deputy CM noted that considering Mumbai’s dense population, priority should be given to hostels for working women, creches for children, the formation of women’s self-help groups in slums and underserved areas, and allotment of stalls to SHGs through a rotation system. He called for the promotion of women’s participation in tourism through project development and implementation of government schemes for women in the fishing community. He also stressed on the effective implementation of schemes for tribal women, timely completion of housing projects, enhancement of women’s healthcare services, and keeping up with evolving medical needs.

Schemes like Shasan Aplya Dari (Government at Your Doorstep), Mukhyamantri Ladki Behan Yojana, Lakhpati Didi Yojana, and free higher education for girls are being implemented effectively, he added.

To combat violence against women, Shinde said stringent measures are in place. He instructed that all safety and welfare schemes for women should be integrated into a single app accessible to all women in Mumbai. He also directed officials to expand the reach of help desks, keep Hirkani Rooms (private rooms for women at public places) operational, ensure immediate counseling at women’s centers, and improve facilities at One-Stop Centers. Police stations, he emphasized, must provide an environment where women can lodge complaints confidently, free from intimidation or coercion.

Shinde assured that complaints related to women are being addressed on a fast-track basis and highlighted that women’s contributions are crucial for Maharashtra to reach a $1 trillion economy.

District Collector Aanchal Goyal shared an update on the implementation of various schemes linked to the Fourth Women’s Policy – 2024 in Mumbai. Women and Child Development Officer Shobha Shelar presented the committee’s ongoing work in alignment with the policy.

Departments such as Women and Child Development, Health, Skill Development, and Police also shared details of innovative initiatives being implemented for women in the city.