Agra: Marking nine years of governance under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Minister for Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition Baby Rani Maurya outlined the state’s achievements in women and child development, asserting that empowerment in the state has evolved into a tangible reality.
Addressing a press conference in Agra, the minister said the government’s approach has moved beyond welfare schemes to create a comprehensive ecosystem encompassing safety, dignity, nutrition, education, self-reliance, and social justice. “Women in Uttar Pradesh are no longer just job seekers; they are becoming job creators,” she said.
Holistic Support from Birth to Self-Reliance
Highlighting flagship initiatives, Maurya said the government has built a strong support system for girls from birth through education and financial independence. Under the Kanya Sumangala scheme, over 2.68 million girls have benefitted so far.
She added that the Chief Minister’s Child Service Scheme has supported more than 105,000 orphaned and vulnerable children, while Mission Vatsalya has helped reunite over 100,000 children with their families—demonstrating a shift toward child-centric governance.
Gains in Maternal Health and Nutrition
The minister emphasized significant improvements in maternal and child health indicators. More than 6 million mothers have benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, with financial assistance provided for institutional deliveries—₹1,400 in rural areas and ₹1,000 in urban regions.
Institutional deliveries in the state have crossed 84%, while malnutrition indicators have shown marked improvement. Stunting among children aged 0–5 years has reduced by 6.6%, and the underweight rate has declined by 7.5%.
Over 21.2 million women and children are receiving supplementary nutrition, supported by technology-driven monitoring such as nutrition trackers under the ‘Sambhav Abhiyan’.
Improved Safety and Law Enforcement
Reaffirming the government’s “zero tolerance” policy on crime against women, Maurya cited a sharp reduction in key crime indicators. Compared to 2016 levels:
- Rape cases have declined by 33.92%
- Kidnapping cases by 17.03%
- Domestic violence by 9.54%
Emergency response services have also improved significantly, with the UP-112 response time reduced from over an hour in 2016 to just 6 minutes and 41 seconds in 2025.
Mission Shakti centers have been established in every police station, while women now hold over 44,000 positions in the police force, aided by a 20% reservation policy. The formation of three women PAC battalions and deployment of Anti-Romeo squads across districts have further strengthened safety measures.
Economic Empowerment and Rising Participation
Maurya underlined that true empowerment lies in economic independence. More than 10 million women in Uttar Pradesh are now connected to self-help groups (SHGs), creating a strong grassroots economic network.
Under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative, over 1.855 million women have achieved annual incomes exceeding ₹1 lakh. Banking correspondents known as “BC Sakhis” have facilitated transactions worth over ₹42,711 crore, earning substantial commissions.
Additionally, over 15,000 “Vidyut Sakhis” have contributed to electricity bill collections, further boosting rural incomes. The government has also allowed women to work night shifts in industrial sectors, leading to a rise in female labour force participation from 13% in 2017 to 36% currently.
Strengthening Grassroots Workforce
Recognizing the role of Anganwadi workers and सहायिकाएं, the minister announced an increase in their honorarium effective April 2026. They are also being covered under life and accident insurance schemes.
More than 190,000 Anganwadi centers are being upgraded into pre-school facilities, enhancing early childhood education. Under the Chief Minister’s Mass Marriage Scheme, over 520,000 girls have been supported in marriage ceremonies.
A Transformational Shift
Concluding the briefing, Baby Rani Maurya credited the government’s intent, transparency, and implementation for transforming the lives of women across the state.
“Safe women, capable women, self-reliant women—this is the foundation of a new and prosperous Uttar Pradesh,” she said.
The government’s multi-pronged approach, combining welfare, safety, and economic opportunity, is being positioned as a model of inclusive development, with women at its core.
