Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme

News: Minister of Women and Child Development has given information about Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme, in the Lok Sabha.

Facts:

• Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in 2017.
• Aim: to empower rural women through community participation and to create an environment in which they realize their full potential.
• Components of the Scheme:

o   National: At the national level domain based experts provide support in implementation of all women centric schemes of the Government with the aim to strengthen the conceptual and programmatic basis of such schemes.

o   State: At the state level, State Resource Centre for Women (SRCW) have been set up under the respective State Govt. /UT administration in all States/UTs.

o   District: District Level Centre for Women (DLCW) have been set up in 640 districts. It collates information on government programmes, schemes and services meant for women empowerment and serve as a link between state and village/block level.

o   Block: Block Level services have been provided in 115 most backward districts (8 blocks per district).The services seek to promote community participation through the involvement of Student Volunteers for empowering rural women.

• Funding: It is a centrally sponsored scheme with a cost sharing pattern between the Central Government and the States as 60:40. However, in NE and special category states, the cost sharing pattern is 90:10.