Mission Shakti is a flagship umbrella scheme launched in the year 2021–22 under Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India, aimed at strengthening women’s safety, security, and empowerment across the country. The mission adopts a holistic and integrated approach to address issues related to violence against women, promote economic independence, and ensure dignity and equal opportunities for women at every stage of life.
Launched by consolidating several women-centric initiatives under one framework, Mission Shakti focuses on prevention, protection, and empowerment, ensuring that women can live a life free from fear and discrimination while actively participating in nation-building.
Mission
To create a safe, secure, and enabling environment for women in India by providing institutional support, legal aid, capacity building, and livelihood opportunities, thereby promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Objectives
- To ensure safety and security of women through strengthened institutional mechanisms and support services.
- To prevent and address gender-based violence by providing immediate assistance, legal aid, medical support, and rehabilitation.
- To empower women economically through skill development, livelihood promotion, and access to resources.
- To enhance awareness about women’s rights, laws, and available government support systems.
- To promote convergence of schemes and stakeholders for effective delivery of women-centric services.
- To support women in achieving social, economic, and political empowerment.
How Mission Shakti Works
Mission Shakti works through a two-pillar framework that combines women’s safety & protection with empowerment & self-reliance, implemented through central–state coordination and grassroots institutions.
Two Core Components
A. Sambal – Safety & Security
This component focuses on preventing and responding to violence against women by providing immediate and integrated support.
It works through:
- One-Stop Centres (OSCs): Provide medical, legal, psychological support and temporary shelter to women affected by violence.
- Women Helpline (181): 24×7 emergency and non-emergency support.
- Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): Promotes protection, education, and survival of the girl child.
- Nari Adalats: Community-based women courts for grievance redressal and dispute resolution.
- Awareness & outreach programs on legal rights, safety, and gender equality.
B. Samarthya – Empowerment & Livelihood
This component focuses on economic independence, skill development, and social empowerment of women.
It works through:
- Skill development & vocational training under STEP and other capacity-building initiatives.
- Self-Help Group (SHG) strengthening and convergence with NRLM.
- Mahila E-Haat: Online marketing platform for women entrepreneurs.
- Working Women Hostels: Safe accommodation to encourage workforce participation.
- Leadership & digital literacy programs for women.
DATA
- Over 10.98 lakh women have been assisted across India by OSCs since their inception in April 2015 up to February 2025.
- As of October 31, 2024, over 10.12 lakh women had received integrated support from operational OSCs nationwide.
- There are 819 operational One Stop Centres across the country (of the 908 approved) providing services to women.