Opinion | Social Development among Women through Social-oriented Policies and Schemes

Across India, women’s empowerment is no longer just a policy idea. But it’s visible in classrooms, small businesses, and self-help groups in villages. The Indian government has taken significant and praiseworthy measures to empower women by providing them with various opportunities to achieve economic independence and enhance their quality of life.

The Government has launched various schemes for women in India as part of broader efforts for their care and security in society. These schemes focus on providing women with financial assistance, healthcare, education, and skill development, among other support.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, as the nodal agency for matters related to the welfare, development, and empowerment of women, has evolved programmes for their benefit. These cover a wide spectrum, such as women’s need for shelter, security, safety, legal aid, justice, information, maternal health, food, and nutrition, as well as their need for economic sustenance through skill development, education, and access to credit and marketing to improve their status equal to men.

In many rural areas of the country, real change began when women started organizing themselves into self-help groups. These small collectives became platforms for saving, credit, training, and community support. Government programmes linked to these groups gradually opened doors for women who earlier had little access to financial resources or entrepreneurship.

In Jammu and Kashmir, such initiatives have slowly started reshaping the social landscape. Women who once remained confined to domestic responsibilities are now participating in small businesses, agriculture, handicrafts, and community development programmes.

Education has also been a very influential factor in this regard. The educational schemes offered to students have motivated people to educate their daughters. Today, a new generation of women in Kashmir is opting for higher studies and professional courses. The healthcare schemes also contributed to this positive change in a significant way. The schemes for improving health conditions among mothers, nutrition programs, and deliveries in hospitals have helped improve healthcare conditions for women, especially in rural areas.

Economic empowerment, however, remains the most visible aspect of women’s social development. Through programmes such as the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM) and the UMEED initiative in Jammu and Kashmir, thousands of women have joined self-help groups and begun small income-generating activities.

Today, the impact of these initiatives is seen in villages across the Union Territory, where women are increasingly contributing to household income and community development.

Success stories from Kashmir

Arifa Jan – Reviving Namda Craft: Arifa Jan has become an icon for women entrepreneurs in Ganderbal. She has been successful in doing so by reviving the traditional carpet-making art, called Namda. She has been assisted by government skill development programs and local women’s self-help groups in converting her passion for Namda crafts into a successful venture. Her Namda crafts are available across the country, and Arifa has inspired women in her region to attain economic independence.

Tasleema Akhter – Entrepreneur of a Self-Help Group in Pulwama: She became a member of a self-help group through the DAY-NRLM initiative and learned the skill of tailoring and handicrafts. She began to produce embroidery and handicrafts from her home. This initiative, which started as a small venture, has now become a source of income for Tasleema’s family and inspires other women of the village to look for opportunities to start their own ventures. This story, therefore, emphasizes the point that opportunities are created, but it is the women’s own resolve to move forward that results in social and economic progress.

Across Jammu and Kashmir, official data shows that tens of thousands of rural women have joined such groups, engaging in activities ranging from agriculture and livestock farming to handicrafts and small businesses.

Some of the important government programs that have helped the country make this achievement include Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, which encourages the education and protection of girls; Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which offers support to pregnant and lactating mothers; Ujjwala Yojana, which offers LPG connections to poor households; Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, which encourages the savings of girls; Mission Shakti, which deals with the safety and security of women; and Mahila-E-Haat, which is a platform that allows women entrepreneurs to sell their products online.

Impact on Women’s Development

The collective impact of these schemes has been significant. Female literacy rates have improved in many regions. Rural women are increasingly opening bank accounts, accessing credit and participating in entrepreneurial activities.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the emergence of self-help groups has contributed to economic participation. Currently, women are involved in handicrafts, food processing, agriculture, and retail businesses. These activities not only improve the economic well-being of the women involved, but they also improve their social status. Officially, it has been documented that over 7 lakh women in J&K are driving social and economic change by participating in 80,000 self-help groups. Women’s empowerment involves economic empowerment, and other forms as well. These include changes to gender relations, gender equality, education, and freedom. In India, gender relations are to be reformed to include the empowerment of women.

Nevertheless, challenges remain. Awareness about government schemes is still limited in some remote areas. Social norms and a lack of mobility can also restrict women’s participation. Effective implementation and community outreach therefore, remain essential.

Conclusion: Social-Centric schemes have opened new opportunities for women across India and in Jammu and Kashmir. Yet policies alone cannot bring change. However, the determination and willingness of women to participate, acquire skills, and utilize the opportunities are equally important.

Social welfare policies and schemes play a vital role in the social development of women. They not only support women financially but also try to bring a change in the social attitude that prevents the empowerment of women.

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