Livelihood mission to help rural women earn, become self-reliant

Prayagraj: State govt is expanding its Livelihood Mission with an objective to increase women enrolled in self-help groups (SHGs). A campaign has been launched to bring every ration card-holding family in the villages under the ambit of the initiative. State govt is developing an entrepreneurial network in rural areas designed to bring half the village population—specifically women—within its fold. Out of 7.5 lakh ration cardholders in the district, 5 lakh women ration cardholders will be brought under the scope of the programme.In villages of Prayagraj district, this segment of population, traditionally confined to domestic chores and agricultural fieldwork, will now receive support to pursue self-employment.Deputy commissioner (National Rural Livelihood Mission) Prayagraj, Gulab Chandra, said women ration card holders in the district, once they are linked to SHGs, will be self-employed, which will help them overcome financial hardships. Officials said through a campaign launched under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, Yogi govt is connecting women with SHGs, which receive budgetary support to help women establish and run small-scale businesses within their villages.By receiving training in high-value sectors—such as textiles, handicrafts, food processing, dairy farming, beauty products and organic farming—women are becoming defining force of the rural economy. In Prayagraj district, over 3 lakh rural women have already joined the movement. Across UP, more than 1.06 crore women have so far achieved economic self-reliance by joining self-help groups. Govt aims to increase this number to 3 crore by the end of this year.