‘Shakti Sadan’ – A Support System for Destitute Women

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : Maharashtra is known as a welfare-oriented state. The state has always been at the forefront of women’s empowerment and strengthening initiatives in the country. The government has consistently taken steps to make women educationally, socially, industrially, and economically self-reliant. Various measures are being implemented to enable women to emerge as leaders in the mainstream of development. These schemes have helped in raising the educational, economic, and social status of women in the state. Maharashtra carries a rich legacy of women’s empowerment, which the government continues to advance through the Women and Child Development Department. One such initiative is the ‘Shakti Sadan Yojana’, which has become a pillar of support for destitute women, helping them lead dignified lives and improving their standard of living.

Shakti Sadan Yojana

The scheme provides food, clothing, shelter, medical aid, legal guidance through counseling helplines, and rehabilitation support to destitute, homeless, disaster-affected women, and victims of domestic violence along with their children. Currently, 6,300 women are being cared for and protected through 43 institutions in 28 districts.

The initiative also supports women and girls rescued from sexual exploitation and human trafficking, offering them shelter, education, vocational training, and rehabilitation through NGOs under the centrally sponsored scheme. Training is provided in tailoring, dress designing, typing, MS-CIT computer courses, nursing, and other trades, along with guidance for higher education. Women and NGOs seeking help can approach the District Women and Child Development Office.

Under the Mission Shakti programme of the Union Government, an integrated women empowerment initiative, two sub-schemes—Sambal and Samarthya—are implemented. The Samarthya sub-scheme focuses on empowerment, with funds shared between the Centre and the State in a 60:40 ratio.

Widows, abandoned women, victims of domestic violence, rescued women from immoral trafficking, and those subjected to sexual exploitation—as well as their children up to 12 years of age—are allowed to stay at Shakti Sadan for up to three years. Women above 55 years can stay for up to five years, after which they are shifted to old-age homes.

Currently, Shakti Sadan centers are functional at 21 locations across districts including Chandrapur, Beed, Ahilyanagar, Dharashiv, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Palghar, Latur, Gadchiroli, Bhandara, Nagpur, Pune, Akola, Sangli, Washim, and Mumbai suburbs, with 22 women’s state homes also operational.

Services Provided

Beneficiaries receive basic amenities (food, clothing, shelter) along with legal assistance through Legal Services Authorities and medical help in emergencies. Women and girls are given psycho-social counseling through ‘One Stop Centres’, while e-learning and open school systems are also facilitated. Skill and vocational training are imparted via institutions registered with the Directorate of Employment and Training or the National Skill Development Council.

Every woman at Shakti Sadan has a bank account opened in her name, with ₹500 deposited monthly. When leaving the institution, she receives the full accumulated amount along with interest.

Victims of human trafficking and sex trade are also given opportunities under Half-Way Homes to take up jobs, enabling a smooth transition to independent life in society. Support is extended for repatriation of women to their native homes as well. Each Shakti Sadan has a maximum capacity of 50 women.

Saksham Portal

The ‘Saksham Portal’ is a web-based system where biometric records of women admitted to Shakti Sadan and protection homes are maintained. This includes fingerprints, photographs, personal and family details. Even after leaving, records remain updated and visible across all linked homes, ensuring continuity of care in case of re-entry.

Launched on December 7, 2023, the portal has already recorded data of 6,300 women. Initially introduced in 5–7 government homes, it was gradually expanded to all state-run homes. In April 2025, centrally sponsored Shakti Sadan institutions were also integrated. Presently, 43 institutions across 28 districts (21 Shakti Sadan homes and 22 state women’s homes) are connected to the portal, with over 100 users active.