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This is an archive article published on August 23, 2023
With shared responsibility among departments, Maharashtra readies fourth women’s policy
According to officials from the state's Women and Child Welfare Department, it is the first such policy in the country to have clearly articulated policy provisions, specific and time-bound actions/interventions, measurable monitoring indicators and clear accountability.
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As per the policy, each of the government departments have been assigned a policy implementation plan along with quantifiable and measurable indicators. “Implementing this policy is not the work of the Women and Child Welfare Department alone. There has to be convergence which will lead to rightful resource management,” an official said.
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With shared responsibility among departments, Maharashtra readies fourth women’s policy
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Under preparation from November 2020, Maharashtra’s fourth women’s policy is likely to be released ahead of the Navratri festival this year.
According to officials from the state’s Women and Child Welfare Department, it is the first such policy in the country to have clearly articulated policy provisions, specific and time-bound actions/interventions, measurable monitoring indicators and clear accountability. “Each department has been assigned its time-bound tasks and duties as well as action required from them to fulfil the targets. This has been done for the first time in the women’s policy,” said the official. Maharashtra introduced its first women’s policy in 1994 followed by second in 2001 and third in 2014.
The policy proposes a strategic institutional mechanism to steer and oversee implementation such as the High Power Committee under the Chief Minister, state special task force under Women and Child Welfare Department minister, district committee under Guardian Minister and a state Gender Resource Centre to support implementation, monitoring and review and draw important lessons for policy enhancement.
The policy has given attention to eight sectors namely health, nutrition and welfare; education and skill; ending violence against women; gender responsive livelihood; gender responsive infrastructure; gender sensitive natural resources management; gender sensitive representation in administration and politics and gender sensitive media.
As per the policy, each of the government departments have been assigned a policy implementation plan along with quantifiable and measurable indicators. “Implementing this policy is not the work of the Women and Child Welfare Department alone. There has to be convergence which will lead to rightful resource management,” an official said.
A detailed presentation of the draft was made in front of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar two days ago. “Another presentation will be made in front of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis after his return from Japan. Based on that, the policy unveiling will be decided,” said the official. The draft of the policy was open for suggestions and objections till February 2022.
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