National Commission for Women (NCW)

A statutory body established in 1992 to safeguard the rights and interests of women.

Nirbhaya Fund

Corpus fund by the Government of India to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety and security of women.

Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)

Set up for speedy trial of sexual assault and POCSO cases.

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH Act)

Legal framework to address workplace harassment.

Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017

Increased paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks.

Jan Dhan Yojana

Bank accounts for financial inclusion – women form a large percentage of beneficiaries.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

Life insurance scheme; many women enrolled through SHGs.

Atal Pension Yojana

Pension scheme aimed at informal sector, especially targeting women workers.

Women SHG-Bank Linkage Programme (under NABARD)

Credit linkage and financial services support to Self Help Groups.

National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Ltd. (NCGTC)

Provides guarantee to loans availed by women entrepreneurs.

Reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions

33% reservation for women in local self-government bodies (many states have raised it to 50%).

Training under RGPSA (Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan)

Capacity building of elected women representatives.

Mahila Samakhya Programme (now merged)

Literacy and empowerment of rural women through collective action and leadership building.

WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) – DST

Promote career opportunities for women scientists and technologists.

KIRAN Scheme (DST)

Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing – for promoting women in research careers.

Vigyan Jyoti

Encourage girl students from class 9 to 12 to pursue careers in STEM.

SDG 5 (UN Sustainable Development Goal)

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women)

India ratified it in 1993 – commits to ending discrimination.

HeForShe Campaign (UN Women)

Encourages male involvement in promoting gender equality.

Tamil Nadu

Amma Two-Wheeler Scheme

Subsidy on scooters for working women.

West Bengal

Kanyashree Prakalpa

Financial support to girl students to reduce dropouts and early marriage.

Madhya Pradesh

Ladli Laxmi Yojana

Financial incentives for girl child education and health.

Haryana

Laadli Scheme

Promotion of girl child birth registration and education.

Odisha

Mission Shakti

Empowerment of women through SHGs and livelihood activities.

Nari Shakti Puraskar

National award by Ministry of Women and Child Development for exceptional contribution to women empowerment.

Stree Shakti Puraskar

Recognizes women achievers in various fields including education, agriculture, science, etc.