- 'Sakhi Niwas' shelters to be introduced by the government of Uttar Pradesh
- Designed to enhance the safety and empowerment of women throughout the state
- Will be set up in nine major districts of Uttar Pradesh
Taking a big leap towards strengthening women's safety and empowerment, the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh is planning to set up 'Sakhi Niwas' shelters in nine important districts of the state. Every shelter will be able to accommodate 50 women and will offer safe housing to women facing social, legal, or family problems, especially at moments of personal crisis.
In the umbrella of the government's flagship Mission Shakti programme for extending dignity, security, and empowerment to women, the Uttar Pradesh government is opening up 'Sakhi Niwas' shelters in nine priority districts. The Central and state governments will collectively fund the shelters with the Centre contributing 60 percent of the cost.
The districts shortlisted for this project Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Agra, Bareilly, Meerut, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar were chosen on the basis of factors like population density, the level of urbanisation, and the number of reported women-related cases in the respective areas.
"These shelters are being constructed to offer distressed women a shelter that is safe, secure to come to," said a senior government official. Every Sakhi Niwas will offer free boarding, food, clothing, and medical care. But not just a roof, the shelters aim to help women start their lives anew — with counseling, legal aid, and vocational courses to help them become economically independent.
"Training in these fields like computer basic use, embroidery, sewing, and handicraft will be provided so the women can earn money and gain confidence," a government official went on to say. This work is a worthwhile step towards getting women not just a place to stay when times are hard, but also to empower them and equip them for self-sustainability.
