Various Initiatives to be Implemented for the Empowerment of Single Women in the State – Meghana Bordikar

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : The first survey at the gram panchayat (village council) level in Parbhani district has been completed, and based on the proportion of single women identified, various initiatives will be undertaken for their empowerment across the state, announced Minister of State for Women and Child Development Meghana Bordikar.

Minister Bordikar, who has taken up this serious issue, said that surveys for municipal councils, municipalities, and municipal corporations will be conducted soon after the village-level survey.

Initiatives for Empowerment

Minister Bordikar stated that programs focusing on economic empowerment of women will be implemented, including skill development, strengthening self-help groups, promoting home-based industries, and providing health and shelter facilities. For this purpose, an integrated strategic action plan will be prepared with the involvement of the government, local self-governing bodies, and CSR partners.

Action groups will be established at the taluka and district levels. Recognizing the lack of schemes for women above 60 years of age, new initiatives will be launched to provide healthcare, safety, and livelihood opportunities for them. With the help of UMED and MAVIM, efforts for self-employment and skill development will be accelerated, and action groups will be formed at both taluka and district levels.

Addressing a Neglected Issue

Minister Bordikar emphasized that single women remain a neglected issue in the state. The survey has revealed their social, economic, and educational distress. The upcoming action plan will ensure the holistic empowerment of these women, aiming to achieve women’s dignity and social inclusion.

During the village-level survey in Parbhani district, it was found that most single women are illiterate and agricultural laborers, lacking land ownership, permanent housing, and income sources, which makes access to basic needs such as healthcare, shelter, livelihood, and social security critical.

The survey, conducted with the help of Anganwadi workers, revealed that there are 34,733 single women in the rural areas of Parbhani district, many of whom are widows and senior citizens.