3.2.1. Schemes

Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)

STEP is being administered by Central Government since 1986-87 as a ‘Central Sector Scheme’.

It aims to provide skills that give employability to women and to provide competencies and skill

that enable women to become self-employed/entrepreneurs. The Scheme is intended to benefit women who are in the age group of 16 years and above across the country. The grant under the Scheme is given to an institution/organisation including NGOs directly and not the States/UTs. The assistance under STEP Scheme will be available in any sector for imparting skills related to employability and entrepreneurship, including but not limited to the Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching, Embroidery, Zari etc., Handicrafts, Computer & IT enable services along with soft skills and skills for the work place such as spoken English, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality.

Swadhar Greh - A Scheme for Women in Difficult Circumstances

Swadhar Greh Scheme targets the women victims of difficult circumstances. Under the Scheme, Swadhar Greh will be set up in every district with capacity to house 30 women. The Scheme through the provisions of shelter, food, clothing, counselling, training, clinical and legal aid aims to rehabilitate women in difficult circumstance i.e. women rendered homeless due to family discord, crime, violence, mental stress, social ostracism or are being forced into prostitution and are in moral danger.

The Scheme has following objectives:

♤ To cater to the primary need of shelter, food, clothing, medical treatment and care of the women in distress and who are without any social and economic support.

♤ To enable them to regain their emotional strength that gets hampered due to their encounter with unfortunate circumstances.

♤ To provide them with legal aid and guidance to enable them to take steps for their readjustment in family/society.

♤ To rehabilitate them economically and emotionally.

♤ To act as a support system that understands and meets various requirements of women in distress

♤ To enable them to start their life afresh with dignity and conviction.