To make women self-reliant and provide economic benefits, the Indian government is running various welfare schemes aimed at increasing self-reliance among women. While women often prioritize taking care of their families, they sometimes forget to care for themselves. Additionally, girls attending school and college often feel embarrassed during their periods.
To address this issue and ensure the respect of women and girls, the Ashok Gehlot government of Rajasthan launched the I Am Shakti Udan Yojana. Under this scheme, free sanitary napkins are being distributed to 1.20 crore women and girls in Rajasthan. The Udan Yojana was launched on the third anniversary of the Gehlot government in 2020. This initiative provides free sanitary napkins to women between the ages of 10 and 45. Rajasthan is the only state in the country to implement such a scheme.
Under the Udaan scheme, the Rajasthan government is providing free sanitary napkins to girls students and adolescent girls across the state. Initially targeted at students, the scheme has now been expanded to benefit all women in Rajasthan.
Scope of the Scheme Expanded
The government has extended the Udaan scheme to include all women of the state, in a phased manner, ensuring that sanitary napkins are provided free of cost. A budget of Rs 200 crore has been allocated for the implementation of the scheme, which will help improve health and hygiene for women, students, and adolescent girls.
Implementation in Schools, Colleges, and Anganwadi Centers
The distribution of sanitary napkins will take place in schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centres across Rajasthan. The Women Empowerment Department has been designated as the nodal department for the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria
- Women and students from Rajasthan are eligible for the scheme.
- Only residents of Rajasthan can benefit from this initiative.
Necessary Documents
- Aadhar card
- Identity card
- Mobile number
Chief Minister’s Vision for the Scheme
At the time of the launch, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot emphasized that this initiative would bring significant change to the state, highlighting the importance of participation from everyone. The government plans to distribute sanitary napkins free of cost at educational institutions and Anganwadi centres, with additional provisions for residential schools as well.