Lucknow: In a significant move to promote women's empowerment, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to prioritize women's recruitment in Home Guards and teachers, similar to the policy followed in police hiring.
This decision was made during a high-level meeting where the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index was presented, highlighting the state's progress in promoting women's dignity and self-reliance.
The WEE Index evaluates all 75 districts across five core parameters: entrepreneurship, employment, education and skill development, livelihood, and safety and transportation infrastructure.
Districts like Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, and Varanasi have shown notable progress in empowering women through government initiatives. In contrast, districts such as Shravasti, Sambhal, Mahoba, Balrampur, and Siddharthnagar require targeted interventions to improve women's empowerment.
The Chief Minister's directive to prioritize women in Home Guard recruitment is expected to boost their participation in the workforce and governance. The Home Guard recruitment process in Uttar Pradesh involves a written test, physical efficiency test, document verification, and medical examination.
Women candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for these positions, and the selection process will be based on their performance in the various tests. This move is likely to encourage more women to join the Home Guards, providing them with opportunities for employment and personal growth.
With the integration of the WEE Index with the Chief Minister's Control Room, real-time monitoring will ensure timely implementation of plans and achievement of targets. Every district will set up a ‘Re-enrolment Unit’ to bring back women who had dropped out of skill courses, and paramedical institutes will be established to support women's advancement in healthcare and service sectors.
The Chief Minister has also emphasized the need to expand women's participation in the workforce, governance, and public transport system, including opportunities as drivers and conductors. This initiative is expected to bring about a significant shift in the state's approach to women's empowerment, making Uttar Pradesh a model for other states to follow.
