- In Prayagraj (Sangam City), the state government of Uttar Pradesh has increased women's employment and empowerment
- Women now make up 46.71% of all workdays created in the region under the MGNREGA program
Sangam City is witnessing the benefits of the Uttar Pradesh government's ongoing initiatives to empower women and create jobs. Women's participation in total workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has increased to an astounding 46.71 percent, the highest percentage to date.
Over 72 lakh of the 1.60 crore workdays (manav diwas) that the state produced under MGNREGA in the fiscal year 2025–2026 were contributed by women. Notably, women are increasingly managing and supervising MGNREGA.
This year, there are now more female mates (site supervisors) working under MGNREGA. Currently, over 5,500 female mates are employed, a 3 percent increase from 41.87 percent the previous year. The Prayagraj district produced 6,112,887 workdays in 2024–2025, with women making up 46.71 percent of the workforce—more than the state average, according to Gulab Chandra, Deputy Commissioner (MGNREGA).
Gulab underlined that giving rural women the role of rozgar sevak (women mates) is profoundly changing their lives. 852 women mates worked in Prayagraj in 2024–2025 alone, receiving a daily honorarium of ₹325 each, which gave them extra money to help with household duties.
For example, Namrata Devi of Arjun Patti Gram Panchayat in Handia block revealed that her husband's work at a rubber factory was not enough to support their family. She has been able to better manage family expenses thanks to her income as a mahila mate. Similarly, Sushila Devi from Jagua Sodha Gram Panchayat in Handia said that even though she worked as a welder, she found it difficult to pay for her kids' schooling. These expenses are now partially covered by her MNREGA salary.
These accounts demonstrate how the MGNREGA program is enabling women to attain greater financial stability and independence in addition to offering jobs.
