The Constitution of India guarantees equality and equal opportunities to women and men. However, gender disparities and barriers to women's development still persist, especially among vulnerable groups, necessitating a comprehensive and integrated approach to women's empowerment.
Accordingly, the Government of India has launched Mission Shakti, an integrated umbrella scheme implemented in mission mode to strengthen interventions for women's safety, security, and empowerment. Guided by the Constitutional principles of equality and justice and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mission Shakti seeks to realise the vision of women-led development through convergence, community participation, and strengthened institutional mechanisms.
Mission Shakti comprises two sub-schemes, namely Sambal and Samarthya.
Sambal sub-scheme focuses on the safety and security of women and includes the components of One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Nari Adalat.
Samarthya sub-scheme aims at women's empowerment and support services and includes the components of Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas (Working Women Hostel), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) and Sankalp.
