Raja Syed Rather
More than 28,000 women in Jammu & Kashmir and 2,500 in Ladakh have received assistance under the Government of India’s Hub for Empowerment of Women (HEW) scheme in the financial year 2024-25, according to data released by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The HEW initiative, part of the broader Mission Shakti program, is aimed at empowering women by providing them with access to legal aid, financial literacy programmes and government welfare schemes.
The numbers indicate a steady increase in the scheme’s reach, with J&K assisting 24,574 women in 2023-24 and 17,110 in 2022-23, while Ladakh helped 160 women last year and 799 this year.
Meanwhile, under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), which provides financial assistance to pregnant and lactating mothers, over 1.41 lakh women in Jammu & Kashmir and 2,510 in Ladakh received benefits in 2024-25. The scheme offers a Rs 6,000 cash incentive to eligible mothers, ensuring better maternal health and nutrition.
Despite the rising number of beneficiaries, officials acknowledge challenges in reaching women in remote areas. In regions like Keran, Gurez, and Kargil, difficult terrain and lack of awareness have limited accessibility. The government has been conducting door-to-door campaigns and using digital platforms to improve outreach.
The Ministry has launched a 100-day women’s empowerment campaign under HEW, focusing on health camps, gender sensitization workshops, and community mobilisation efforts. Special registration drives for PMMVY are also being conducted in the rural belts of Kashmir and Ladakh to maximise coverage.
With the Union Territory administrations prioritising women’s welfare and financial independence, the success of these schemes will be crucial in shaping gender-inclusive development in the region.
