‘Shakti Sakhis’ to support women in distress in villages

Prayagraj: The district is set to become the pilot district for a new state govt initiative aimed at strengthening the safety, dignity and empowerment of rural women, with the launch of two Mahila Shakti Kendras and the deployment of specially trained ‘Shakti Sakhis’ to assist women in distress. The selected women will receive a monthly remuneration of Rs 7,500, and the recruitment process is already underway.Officials said the initiative is designed to provide rural women with an accessible support system to address issues ranging from domestic violence and gender discrimination to social and economic challenges. The programme seeks to promote women’s dignity, self-reliance and a fear-free environment in villages.Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), Gender Resource Centres are being established across the state. As part of the pilot phase, two Mahila Shakti Kendras are being set up in Prayagraj district, one each in Bahariya and Koraon development blocks. Suitable buildings for the centres have already been identified.District Mission Manager (NRLM) Viraj Singh said the centres will be operated by ‘Shakti Sakhis’—women drawn from self-help groups under the State Rural Livelihood Mission. These women will serve as Gender Community Resource Persons (CRPs), acting as the first point of contact for women seeking assistance.The selection process for four Shakti Sakhis is currently in progress. Candidates are being chosen through a written examination and interview process. The first phase has already been completed, and a written examination was conducted at Vikas Bhawan on Thursday, with 45 women participating.A joint panel headed by the Chief Development Officer (CDO) and other officials will select the final candidates. Once selected, the Shakti Sakhis will undergo training provided by the Mission headquarters before taking charge of their responsibilities.Officials said the Mahila Shakti Kendras are intended to serve as platforms for the social and economic empowerment of women, particularly those from marginalised communities. The centres will also help address gender-related issues and strengthen support systems at the grassroots level.According to Singh, a broader institutional framework is also being developed. This will include Gender Point Persons at the self-help group level, Social Action Sub-Committees at Village Organisation and Cluster Level Federation (CLF) levels, and Mahila Shakti Manchs and Mahila Shakti Kendras at the panchayat and block levels.Each Mahila Shakti Kendra will have two to four Shakti Sakhis. They will receive a monthly payment of Rs 7,500, comprising an honorarium of Rs 6,000 and a travel allowance of Rs 1,500, disbursed through the nodal CLF.