Smt. Renuka Chowdhury, Union Minister of Women and Child Development said that the Government has recently introduced amendment in various legislations for the empowerment of women including Child Marriage Act and Protection from Domestic Violence besides launching of schemes like gender budgeting, micro financing and Swadhar Homes for Women in distress. She asked the States to take the advantage of the schemes to promote welfare and protection of women in the society.

Urging the States to take a expansion of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) in a mission mode , the Minister said that the Centre has decided to universalize the scheme to cover each and every block of the country with an enhanced budget, increase honoraria for Anganwadi Workers and improve norms . She also asked the States to forward new proposals for setting up of hostels for working women, Swadhar Homes for women in stress and crèches.

Emphasizing on strict monitoring to check the incidence of female foeticide, child marriage and trafficking of women, the Minister said the Centre has recently announced two important schemes Dhanlaxmi and Priyadarshani,. Both the schemes will help in the economic empowerment of girl child. Ujjawala, a scheme has been launched to rehabilitate traffic victims.

National Awards were presented to 74 Anganwadi workers for their exemplary contribution under Integrated Child Development Services. Each was given Rs.15,000 and a citation. In addition to these National Awards, The Stree Shakti Puraskars were also presented to 5 selected individuals who have contributed for the cause of development, welfare and empowerment of women. Each was given Rs. 3 lakh and a citation.