Question

Which programme was started in 1996 to provide employment for women in handloom, khadi, handicrafts and village industries?
A.Support to Training and Employment Program
B.Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme
C.Swayamsidha Scheme
D.Integrated Child Protection Scheme

Answer 1

Hint:Support to training and employment program, Rajiv Gandhi National creche scheme, Swayamsidha scheme, Integrated child protection scheme are all initiatives taken by the government for women empowerment. A program was started in 1996 to pass on skills that enable women to become self-employed/ entrepreneurs in handloom, khadi, handicrafts and village industries. It targets women who are in the age group of 16 years and above.

Complete answer:
After liberation, India has experienced a surge in GDP, 6 to 7 per cent every year accompanied with an increase in women's education, fall in fertility rates, access to cooking gas, electricity, clean drinking water etc. The Central Government has taken several steps to improve the female labour force participation rate(FLFR). The government made amendments like the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, for provision of child care for the organised sector women.Support to Training and Employment Programmes for women(STEP) was one such program aimed at making women self-employed. The scheme provides training in many sectors like in Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching, Embroidery, Zari etc, Handicrafts, Computer & IT enabled services with soft skills and skills for spoken English, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality.
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche scheme named after the former Prime minister of India is an Early childhood care services for the children of working women. It was launched on 01 January 2006 targeting children up to 6 years.

Swayamsidha scheme literally means to 'help oneself' is an integrated women empowerment programme (IWEP) launched in 2001 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD). It is a special scheme for self-help groups (SHGs). It aims at overall upliftment of women that enables them to become self-reliant by income generating activities.The integrated child protection scheme is a central government-sponsored scheme that aims at providing a protective environment for children.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Support to Training and Employment Programs(STEP) began in 1996 to pass on skills that enable women to become self-employed/ entrepreneurs. It targets women who are in the age group of 16 years and above. The scheme provides training in many sectors like in Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching, Embroidery, Zari etc, Handicrafts, Computer & IT enabled services with soft skills and skills for spoken English, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality.