Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh is paying special attention to the empowerment of disabled women. With the help of Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, digital literacy, 4 percent reservation and 1403 special schools, disabled women are getting new opportunities for education, employment and self-reliance.
On a mild winter morning in Lucknow, when most of the people were busy in the daily hustle and bustle, there were some women in hundreds of corners of the state who were holding the computer mouse for the first time, were navigating the government website on their own for the first time and were realizing for the first time that technology is no longer a distance but has become their support. This change did not come suddenly, but is the result of the policies of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, which made the path of development not only easier for disabled women, but also more equal and empowered than ever before.
Yogi government is committed to the empowerment of disabled women.
Lucknow, 29 November. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the empowerment of disabled women in Uttar Pradesh has got a new direction. The joint initiative of ‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’ and ‘Digital India’ of the Central Government has played an important role in making the disabled women of the state digitally, economically and socially strong. The inclusive programs of Yogi government have brought concrete changes in their lives.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath effectively implemented 4 percent horizontal reservation for disabled people as soon as he took charge in 2017. This not only opened the way for employment, but also ensured the appointment of persons with disabilities in more than 3 lakh government jobs in the state, in which the participation of women was notable.
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Before 2017, the condition of disabled people was worrying. Before 2017, opportunities for disabled people were very limited in the state. Due to only 3 percent reservation based on the 1995 Act, a large number of disabled people were deprived of jobs and opportunities. But the Yogi government ensured 4 percent reservation by implementing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, due to which employment opportunities increased rapidly. This reform was historic for disabled women. Due to increase in employment and education opportunities in the state, thousands of women were seen becoming financially self-reliant.
1403 Special School: Where the lives of thousands of disabled girls are changing
In the previous governments, the system of education and training for disabled children was fragmented. But Yogi government strengthened special schools in every district. At present, 1403 special schools are running in Uttar Pradesh, in which 50 percent enrollment is of disabled girls. These schools are not only providing traditional education but also providing facilities like digital skills, mobile apps training and online learning.
The example of Chitrakoot district is proof of this, where disabled girls in special schools are now doing IT and digital courses through e-learning platforms. What was once a distant dream for them has now become a reality.
‘Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan’ made buildings and services disabled friendly
The biggest problem of disabled people was accessibility. The Centre’s Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan started in 2015, but it moved slowly for years in Uttar Pradesh. Facilities like ramps, Braille signage and lifts were not available in many government buildings. Yogi government worked rapidly in this direction and today: out of 278 government buildings, 271 buildings have been made completely disabled friendly.
These include modern facilities like wheelchair access, ramp, braille board, voice-assisted system.
Wave of Digital India and Digital Mission of Yogi Government
Giving priority to digital access, the state government has redesigned 44 government websites under WCAG-2.1 standard. This has made it easier for visually impaired women to access scheme information and services through screen readers. CM Yogi’s aim is to make all the disabled women of the state digitally capable by 2026, so that they are not deprived of any government service.
New era of opportunities for disabled women
Due to the overall efforts of the government today in Uttar Pradesh:
- Digital access of disabled women has increased
- Employment and training opportunities have increased
- Their access to government services has become easier
- Their participation in education and technical skills has increased
This journey of empowerment of disabled women has become a strong example of the inclusive development model of Uttar Pradesh.
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