Women Empowerment

Ever since, Sikkim became a part of the Indian Republic in the year 1975, the elected government could do very little to uplift the standards of the people whether it be the economic, political or social standards. The pre-phase of democracy in the state, is though understood to have been in the adjusting phase in a democracy. The government uptil 1994 in the state remained slag in providing the better standards of living to the public and ensuring the rights to the public, the basic criteria which the public of the state expected to prevail in a true democracy. In such situation where the government was slightly incompetent ensure social justice and empowerment, to the public at large, the concept of women empowerment was a distant thing to be even thought of. The improvement of status of women in the state earlier to 1994 can be counted upon the phase of stagnancy in terms of social justice and particularly women empowerment. The women section of the society was always the second preference in all terms of the state prior to the SDF government.

                                In the absence of a true democracy during the pre democratic phase of the state the participation of women were seldom registered in the political and economical scenario of the state. When the world went burning under the strong flame of movement demanding women rights, the Sikkim remained ignorant towards the issue, this was most probably due to lack of proper leadership who could voice in favour of the demands for the  women rights in the state.

                 With the advent of the SDF party in a forefront of the political scenario of the state in the year 1993, a ray of hope shadowed upon the issue of women rights besides other issues that looked upon for the change. Nevertheless, when the SDF  party was juggling to form a government in the state,  the women for the first time in the history of the state did  come forward in support of SDF party openly. Never was the participation of women at such a large scale was registered in the political field as it was during the period of transition of government.   As it was to happen by the virtue of the massive support of the public of the state, the SDF government formed its government in the year 1994.

                       Under the able leadership of the Chief Minister, Pawan  Chamling, the women were empowered . At times when in the global scenario the women were fighting for their rights, Sikkim was writing a different story as a whole. The government led by the SDF was itself was taking the first step to ensure the rights of the women in the state before the women even asked for it. Several steps were taken to enhance the status of women in the patriarchal society of ours.

                                The status of women after the commencement of the SDF government has perhaps been gradually improving unquestionably. The government led by SDF has ensured the security and rights of the women section of the society. The women today are bloosming in various fields with its full colour. The women in the state are walking shoulder to shoulder at par with the men in the. Infact, in some of the case the women are seen beating the men. 

'Sikkim today is the most secure place for women'. Such wonderful statements from National Women's Commission president Dr. Mohini Giri, famous cinestar Rani Mukerjee and several personalities which reflect the conducive atmosphere for women in Sikkim. Sikkim is not only the secure place for Sikkimese women but their rights are also secured in comparison with other States. There is security, respect and a special position for women in Sikkim from their birth till their death. 'Our struggle will continue till women are placed at par with men', says Chief Minister and SDF party President  Pawan Chamling.

1. SDF Government has given historic justice to the women by framing laws that gives daughters equalrights to their parents' properties at par with sons.
2. ­ SDF Government has given 50 percent reservation to women in Panchayat seats.
3. ­Thirty three percent reservation in Government jobs to women.
4. Under Lagu Parivar Yojna, Government is depositing Rs. 8,000 for each girl child under 13 years under the joint account of her and concerned CPDO. In order to encourage marriage at the right ages, Government is giving Rs. 2,000 to the beneficiary girl if she remains unmarried till 21 and also an extra Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 if marriage is done at the age of 22 years and 23 years respectively. 
5. If a child is born after two years of marriage then Rs. 1000 and if second child is born after a three years gap then an extra Rs. 1000 is given. Till today, 7,263 girls under 13 years have benefited from this scheme.
6. A cash incentive of Rs. 10,000 is given to those widows who re-marry.
7. SDF Government has set records in the field of women empowerment. SDF Government has initiated strong measures to empower the Sikkimese women who had been left behind in every sector since centuries. Today, Sikkimese women are fully capable and empowered to march ahead with men. They have been showered with administrative and political rights. Rules have been framed to ensure the participation of women in administration and governance. Special arrangements have been made to encourage them in education and health sector. Due to our Government's pro-women policies,there is more than 40 percent participation of women in local institutions which itself is an example in the country. Sikkim's name as a State which has the least cases of atrocities against women has spread far and wide .
8. Sikkim Women's Commission was set up on September 12, 2001. This commission has disposed 285 cases as on August 31, 2006.
9. By making it mandatory to have signatures of mother along with the father in official documents,the State Government has restored the respect of women.
10. Rs. 10,000 is given as support grant to widows.
11. Maternity benefits were given to women from November 7, 1994. Maternity grant of Rs. 300 along with leave were given to women labourers and employees. Today the grant has been enhanced to Rs. 500.
12. Gas stoves were distributed free of cost to rural women.
13. Government largesse is being distributed under the name of the mother of the beneficiary family.
14. SDF Government created a new record by appointing the first woman Minister, Assembly Speaker,Zilla President, Zilla Vice-President and chairperson of the Sikkim Public Service Commission.
15. Schemes like Prena Yojna, Swayamsiddhi Yojna, Balika Samridi Yojna, Kishori Shakti Yojna, Lagu Pariwar Yojna, Widow Re-marriage Scheme, pension to widows of ex-servicemen and trainings have ensured the development and welfare of women and girls in the State.
16. By starting the Prena Yojna, girls are encouraged to pursue higher education.
17. Under Lagu Parivar Yojna, girls are encouraged to marry at the right ages and married women are encouraged to maintain a healthy gap between the first and second child. A total of 5,183 beneficiaries  have benefited from this scheme as on March 31, 2006.
18. Samridi Yojna was started from 1999 where Rs. 500 is deposited to girls born to BPL families. A total of 2108 beneficiaries have benefited from this scheme as on March, 2006.
19. Kishori Shakti Yojna was first stated in North Sikkim in 2000-01 and later this scheme was extended to other districts. This scheme seeks to provide good nutrition to girls at the age of 11 to 18 years besides taking care of education, capacity and vocational courses .
20. The State Government has started from September 23, 1999 providing an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs to the family members of those Sikkimese persons who are killed during wars.
21. Men from other community marrying SC girls are given Rs. 10,000 as cash incentive.
22. Swayamsiddhi Yojna has been started with an aim of achieving holistic socio-economic development of women. Under this scheme, Self Help Groups are formed to encourage rural women to save money and be a part of the local planning processes .
23. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): There are 500 ICDS centres operating in Sikkim with each centre under the care of one Aganwadi worker and helper to take care of children below 6 years of age. The children are also given pre-school education along with regular health and hygiene care. In addition, pregnant women and nursing mothers are also taken care of.
24. The wages of Aganwadi worker has been increased to Rs. 3000 from Rs. 1500 while the Aganwadi h e I per's wag e s has bee n increased to Rs. 1700 from Rs. 700. This new wage system was implemented from April 1, 2007.
25. 'Mamtalaya' has been set up at Gangtok in 1999 to rehabilitate those women facing problems.
26. A helpline has been set up with Gangtok police to immediately response to the distress calls of women.
27. Two hostels have been set up in Gangtok and Namchi for the benefit of working women.
28. A total of 115 creches have been opened up all over the State to look after the children of working. These creches are managed by NGOs and grants are regularly provided to them by the Government.
29. All old laws of Sikkim have been given total security.
30. Dzumsa system which had been scrapped by the earlier Government has been restored in North Sikkim.
31. There is total security to the minority Bhutia Lepcha communities of Sikkim. SDF Government is committed to protect the 12 BL seats in the Assembly.
32. Indian Nepalis were declared as a minority community in the Assembly.
33. Sikkimese people have been exempted from Central Income Tax.
34. Burman Commission was constituted and its recommendations accepted with the objective of protecting all the communities of Sikkim.
35. Sikkim Research Institute of Tibetology has been renamed as Namgyal Institute of Tibetology.
36. The first Chief Minister of Sikkim Kazi Lendhup Dorji Khangsherpa was bestowed with the highest civilian award of Sikkim, 'Sikkim Ratna'. Similarly, he was also bestowed with the highest award of the nation, 'Padma Vibushan'.
37. Distinguished Indian Nepali personalities who have given special contributions in their fields were felicitated by 'Sikkim Samman Sammelan'