Use WWE Index report to prioritise women's empowerment in UP: Adityanath to officials

Lucknow, Jul 8 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday was presented with the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index—an initiative by the Planning Department and the Udayati Foundation, which showed women in Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar and Varanasi benefitting from government initiatives.

The WWE index assesses the reach of government schemes among women and drives gender-inclusive, evidence-based policymaking.

Calling it a “historic step,” the chief minister highlighted its role in promoting dignity and self-reliance for women across Uttar Pradesh, an official statement said.

The index evaluates all 75 districts across five core parameters: entrepreneurship, employment, education and skill development, livelihood, and safety and transportation infrastructure.

It provides insights into which districts are effectively extending benefits to women and where targeted interventions are required.

Adityanath directed that the WEE Index be integrated with the CM's control room to ensure real-time monitoring.

"All departments must treat the index as a foundational tool for policymaking and tracking outcomes. Departments should formulate actionable plans based on the index, prioritising women’s empowerment in their respective areas. District-level strategies must be developed to localise the impact of state schemes," he said.

The presentation highlighted districts such as Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar and Varanasi, where women notably benefited from government initiatives.

In contrast, districts such as Shravasti, Sambhal, Mahoba, Balrampur, and Siddharthnagar were flagged for urgent intervention.

Adityanath directed that targeted campaigns be launched under the ODOP Margin Money Scheme in Banda, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Mahoba, Shravasti, and Sitapur to ensure greater inclusion of women.

He also stressed the need to expand women’s participation in the workforce and governance.

Calling on the need for prioritising women in the recruitment of home guards and teachers, similar to the policy followed in police hiring, the chief minister also directed special efforts to increase women’s enrollment in technical institutes, vocational programs, and skill training centres.

Every district, he said, should set up a ‘re-enrolment unit’ to bring back women who had dropped out of skill courses.

The chief minister highlighted the importance of ensuring paramedical institutes are available to support women’s advancement in healthcare and service sectors.

The meeting also discussed strategies to enhance women's participation in the public transport system. Adityanath advocated for providing women with opportunities as drivers and conductors, along with specialised training and support facilities.

The chief minister urged all departments to treat the WEE Index not as a mere report, but as a mission-critical framework.

Stressing the timely implementation of plans and achievement of targets, Adityanath stated, "Only when women become the central force behind development schemes will the overall progress of society and the state be ensured." PTI ABN ABN MPL MPL