Prayagraj: The state government, apart from making rural women self-reliant and empowered, is now fostering their capacity for social leadership. Under the State Rural Livelihood Mission, the role and responsibility of ‘Shakti Sakhis’ is being introduced as they will organize rural women into groups, prepare them for social leadership roles, and motivate them to become self-reliant. Director of the Govind Ballabh Pant Social Science Institute, Professor Yogendra Pratap Singh notes that a lack of economic self-reliance has prevented rural women from gaining decision-making power in various matters. Raising awareness and fostering self-reliance are the primary prerequisites for addressing this.To tackle these issues, the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission is now selecting Shakti Sakhis.nDev Kumar, Deputy Commissioner (NRLM – Pratapgarh) said, “Developing leadership capabilities among women in rural areas remains a significant challenge” . He, however, said Pratapgarh district comprises 1,148 Gram Panchayats and 17 development blocks. Two Shakti Sakhis will be selected from each development block to discharge these responsibilities. Women associated with self-help groups who have passed the 10th-grade examination are eligible for this role.An examination for this purpose is scheduled for August 10. Women who succeed in the written test will undergo an interview and subsequently be sent to Lucknow for training. Selected Shakti Sakhis will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹6,000.Selected from among women associated with self-help groups under the Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), the Shakti Sakhis will listen to women’s concerns and inform them about government schemes. They will facilitate solutions by coordinating with relevant government departments. These ‘Sakhis’ will spearhead the initiative to bring self-help group women into role of social leadership. Furthermore, these women will be empowered through self-employment by receiving skill-based training in areas such as organic farming and poultry farm management.
