Team Blitz India
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Government unveiled a new policy for women on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8.
The policy, the fourth after the ones announced in 1994, 2001 and 2014, aims for comprehensive and all-inclusive development of women with focus on eight areas. The difference between the fourth policy and others is that an implementation plan has been prepared. Benchmarks have been set to measure progress of policy implementation.
Responsibilities of various departments have been defined. To review the implementation of this policy, threelevel committees have been formed.
Announcing the policy, state Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare said free health check-up camps in underserviced, remote and hard-to-reach areas across urban, rural and tribal areas will be undertaken.
Improved diagnostic services at all government health facilities up to primary health centre level will be provided for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endocrine, cancer, urinary tract infections, TB, menopausal issues with improved referral systems, she said.
Initiation of demand-based day care centres in establishments with a high number of women and provision of day care facilities in special industrial areas, commerce zones will be the aim of the policy.
As per the policy, capacities of women will be enhanced to promote their participation and leadership primarily to mitigate and adapt to climate change, effective disaster response and risk reduction, while women living in coastal areas will be oriented to coastal regulation zone and allied environmental regulations. An exclusive sports policy for women and sportspersons will cover infrastructure, training, financial assistance and allied support, she said.
