Women in India, especially those who are from rural backgrounds or marginalised communities have been deprived of their basic right to education and employment. They are forced to stay within the four walls of their homes under the shadows of their families and fulfil their responsibilities and duties at home.

To challenge this backward perception of people for women, the government of India launched the Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The govt scheme focuses on availing numerous resources to women for teaching and enhancing their skills and showing them the way to employment.

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Objectives Of The STEP Scheme

The STEP program for women poses as a pathway that leads them toward nothing but a sea of opportunities and self-development. It has numerous objectives such as:

• Skill Development: The government scheme aims to equip women with the necessary skills and polish the skills they already possess in terms of capitalisation so that they can secure good job opportunities in the world of the market.

• Generating Employment: The government took full responsibility for generating employment for women in various sectors so that they could choose the best-suited job for them as per their skills.

• Promoting Entrepreneurship: The Sarkari Yojana also encourages women to start their businesses by training them from scratch and teaching them the know-how to operate in the domain of business.

• Support Services: The govt scheme aims to empower women by providing additional services such as health checkups, referral services, daycare services, and education.

Features Of The STEP Scheme

The STEP scheme focuses on women from marginalised and economically weaker sections of society including those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other vulnerable groups. This target group was established to ensure that the benefits of the scheme are availed by those in need.

The training given under the central government scheme entails much more than technical skill development. They also teach financial literacy, awareness about health and nutrition, soft-skills training, etc. In addition, the programs provide access to credit and market linkages for women who decide to start their enterprises.

The govt scheme covers 200 to 1000 women throughout the scheme’s period and provides them with adequate skills and employment opportunities.

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How Is The Scheme Executed?

The STEP program is implemented through Public Sector Organisations, District Rural Development Agencies, and NGOs. Women Development Corporations are given the responsibility to identify economically viable projects and arrange for training programs accordingly and as per the needs of the women of a particular area.

Various sectors are covered under this yojana for which training is provided such as:

• Agriculture

• Animal Husbandry

• Dairying

• Fisheries

• Handlooms

• Handicrafts

• Khadi and village industries

• Sericulture

• Social forestry

• Wasteland development, and any other locally appropriate sector.

Eligibility Criteria For The STEP Scheme

There are certain guidelines issued that make an individual eligible to apply for the program:

• Women who are applying to be a part of the program should be at least 16 years old or above.

• Applicants should be from marginalised and economically weaker sections of society including those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other vulnerable groups.

• Women who are underprivileged like widowed or separated or underemployed are given priority.

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Application Process For The STEP Scheme

The application process for applying for the STEP scheme is explained below

1. Firstly, the applicant must identify an organisation that provides training under the STEP scheme.

2. After identifying the concerned department, choose a relevant project and fill out the application form comprised of details about one’s background, interest in which of the types of training, and current employment status.

3. Documents such as proof of age, income certificate, caste certificate, and educational qualifications are required as per the type of project chosen.

4. After the submission of one’s application to the concerned implementing agency, they review it and may conduct interviews or assessments to ensure the suitability of the applicant and how much they need it.

Conclusion

The Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) was launched to ensure that every woman becomes financially independent by providing them with the necessary skills and opportunities to work.

To know the details of the STEP scheme, its guidelines and more visit the official website.