Madhya Pradesh Emerging as a Role Model for Women Empowerment

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Madhya Pradesh has achieved remarkable progress in the direction of women’s empowerment in recent years. Various schemes focusing on the health, nutrition, safety, protection, and economic empowerment of children, adolescent girls, and women are being implemented effectively, along with several innovative initiatives.

At the same time, the Devi Ahilya Nari Sashaktikaran Abhiyan is also being carried out with the objective of ensuring the comprehensive social and economic development of women. The positive outcomes of these efforts are helping Madhya Pradesh emerge as a role model for women’s empowerment.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has also emphasised prioritising women’s welfare by including women among the four major priority groups for national development, linking the country’s progress with the advancement of these groups. In line with this vision, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav has formulated a focused strategy for women's welfare programmes in the state.

Under 453 Integrated Child Development Projects, 97,882 Anganwadi centres have been approved in the state, providing services to nearly 84 lakh beneficiaries. A geo-fencing-based online attendance system has been implemented in Anganwadis. Madhya Pradesh has also become the first state in the country to introduce a transparent online recruitment process for Anganwadi workers and assistants.

For the financial year 2026–27, a provision of ₹3,768 crore has been made for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. Under Poshan 2.0, all Anganwadi centres are being monitored through the Poshan Tracker App to ensure maternal and child nutrition, treatment and monitoring of severely malnourished children. A face-matching system has been implemented in the state, with 94 per cent beneficiary verification completed, placing Madhya Pradesh first in the country.

Through the Supplementary Nutrition Programme, more than 60 lakh children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers are benefiting from the Take Home Ration and Hot Cooked Meal schemes. In the current budget, ₹1,150 crore has been allocated for nutrition food and ₹250 crore for the Poshan Abhiyan.

Through the Mukhyamantri Bal Arogya Samvardhan Programme, out of 7.37 lakh severely malnourished children registered in 2025, about 3.71 lakh children have been brought back to normal nutritional levels.

The “Moti Aai” innovation of Jhabua district received the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence. Construction of 5,263 new Anganwadi buildings is currently underway in the state. A proposal has also been made to provide electricity connections to 38,900 Anganwadi buildings. An amount of ₹459 crore has been allocated for construction, upgradation, and basic infrastructure.

Under the Prime Minister’s Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), 704 special Anganwadi buildings have been approved for Baiga, Bharia, and Sahariya tribal communities. Madhya Pradesh secured first place in the country by completing 150 out of the 217 buildings approved in 2023–24. The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana has become the largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme in the state. Currently, more than 1.25 crore women are receiving ₹1,500 per month as assistance. From June 2023 to February 2026, a total of ₹52,305 crore has been distributed under the scheme. For 2026–27, a provision of ₹23,882 crore has been made.

Similarly, the Ladli Laxmi Yojana, which has become a model for other states, has registered 52.56 lakh girls so far. A budget provision of ₹1,801 crore has been made for this scheme.Under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, extensive awareness activities have been conducted with participation from lakhs of citizens.

Madhya Pradesh has consistently remained among the leading states in the Prime Minister Matru Vandana Yojana, for which ₹386 crore has been allocated in 2026–27.

The state currently operates 57 One Stop Centres, with approval for 8 new centres. Through the Women Helpline 181 and Child Helpline 1098, more than 1.43 lakh cases have been resolved this year.

Sakhi Niwas facilities are operating in Bhopal and Indore, while 8 new working women hostels have been approved. Through schemes such as Shakti Sadan, Shaurya Dal Yojana, and the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, thousands of women and children are being provided protection and rehabilitation support.

Through the Madhya Pradesh Women Finance and Development Corporation, thousands of self-help groups and women entrepreneurs have received financial assistance and interest subsidies.

For the financial year 2026–27, a total budget provision of ₹32,730.45 crore has been made for the Women and Child Development Department, reflecting the state government’s strong commitment to the welfare and empowerment of women and children in Madhya Pradesh.