Mission Shakti: The Odisha Govt's Initiative For Women Empowerment Completes 22 Years. In Pics

As Naveen Patnaik steps into the 24th year as the chief minister of Odisha, Mission Shakti, a government initiative to promote holistic women empowerment, launched in 2001, completes 22 years. (Image: Odisha government)

Among the several people-centric initiatives that Patnaik undertook, one of the most significant, in terms of transforming lives, was Mission Shakti. He said, “Women empowerment is something that is very close to my heart. No household, no society, no state and no country has ever moved forward without empowering its women.” (Image: Odisha government)

After 22 years, Mission Shakti has 70 lakh women members with 6 lakh Women Self Help Groups. The Odisha model of women empowerment focuses on identity of women, providing platforms and public spaces for them, and involving women as partners in governance at all levels. (Image: Odisha government)

Under this scheme, Odisha provides zero interest loans up to Rs 5 lakh for Self Help Groups. This has helped scale up finance for women-run businesses. Secondly, exclusive district industrial parks are being set up in all districts for setting up women-run enterprises. (Image: Odisha government)

For institutional strengthening, funds are being provided to district level and block level federations of Self Help Groups. For this, a fund amounting to Rs 324 crore has been set aside. (Image: Odisha government)