The Government of India has taken several initiatives for improving the health, hygiene and well-being of women and for enhancing their status in the country. Health schemes Anemia Mukt Bharat - It is implemented to reduce anaemia among six beneficiaries age group - children (6-59 months), children (5-9 years), adolescents (10-19 years), pregnant and lactating women and in women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) in life cycle approach through implementation of six interventions via robust institutional mechanism. SUMAN –Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan - It aims to provide assured, dignified, respectful and Quality healthcare at no cost and zero tolerance for denial of services for every woman and newborn visiting the public health facility in order to end all preventable maternal and newborn deaths and morbidities and provide a positive birthing experience. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) - A programme to provide fixed-day assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally to all pregnant women (in 2nd and 3rd trimester) on the 9th of every month. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a demand promotion and conditional cash transfer scheme for promoting institutional delivery. Under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), every pregnant woman is entitled to free delivery, including caesarean section, in public health institutions along with the provision of free transport, diagnostics, medicines, blood, other consumables & diet. Schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have helped reduce drudgery and time poverty of women and improved health outcomes. Under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, over 11.8 crore individual household latrines (IHHLs) have been constructed in the country. Jal Jeevan Mission has successfully provided tap water connections to around 15.6 crores households. Hygiene Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janausadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) To ensure easy access to sanitary napkins and good quality medicines at affordable price, Department of Pharmaceuticals under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers implements the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janausadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP), an important step in ensuring the health security for women. Under the project, over 16000 Janaushidhi Kendras have been set up across the country, which besides affordable medicines, provide Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins named Suvidha at Rs. 1/- per pad only. Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene The ‘Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene’ among adolescent girls in the age group of 10-19 years. The Scheme is supported by National Health Mission through State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) route based on the proposals received from the States/ UTs. One of the major objectives of the scheme is to increase awareness among adolescent girls on Menstrual Hygiene. Under the scheme, sanitary napkin packs are provided to adolescent girls by the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) at subsidized rates. Government also provides budget to the States/ UTs for Orientation of field level health workers and IEC activities for menstrual hygiene. In addition, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ has developed National Guidelines on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) for creating awareness on it in rural areas as part of its overall interventions related to behaviour change on sanitation and hygiene aspects. Well-being Mission Shakti To support working women and girls students, the Ministry of Women and Child Development implements the Sakhi Niwas Scheme (Working Women Hostel) under the overarching Mission Shakti. It is a demand driven Centrally Sponsored Scheme, under which funds are released to the States and UTs for implementation of the scheme. The scheme aims to promote availability of safe and conveniently located accommodation for working women and other women pursuing higher education or training in urban, semi-urban and also in rural areas where employment opportunity for women exists. Under the Scheme, financial assistance is provided for running of Sakhi Niwas in rented premises for working women and for those women who are under training for job. Provision of Day Care Centre for children of the residents of the Sakhi Niwas is an important aspect of the scheme. These initiatives align with the larger goal of ensuring safety, dignity, and opportunity for women across India and are major steps towards realising the idea of ‘Women led Development’.