Baby Chakraborty | KalimNews | September 21, 2024 | Kolkata : The visionary projects of
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, ‘Kanyashree’ and ‘Rupashree’, have brought significant recognition to the state, earning special praise from UNICEF. At the recently concluded ‘Impact East, 2024 Conclave’, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Manjur Hossain, lauded the far-reaching impact of these social schemes in driving positive change, particularly in the areas of women’s empowerment and social development. The event saw the participation of eminent industry leaders, including Saurabh Roy from Tata Steel, Debashis Dutta from BG Samaddar and Sons, and Prashant Kumar Hota of Jindal Steel, as well as representatives from more than fifty voluntary organizations.
Hon’ble Minister Sobhandev Chattopadhyay expressed his pride in Bengal’s achievements, stating that “The Kanyashree and Rupashree projects have added a new feather to Bengal’s crown, thanks to the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.”
The Kanyashree project, launched in 2013, was specifically designed to empower girls by encouraging them to pursue higher education and prevent child marriage. It provides financial assistance to girls from underprivileged backgrounds, aiming to delay marriages and ensure they complete their education. This initiative has garnered global acclaim, including the prestigious UNESCO Award, and is considered a model for other states and countries to emulate.
Speaking at the event, Ariane de Wagat, a UNICEF representative, remarked, “The Kanyashree project is playing a significant role in empowering women. All the work UNICEF is doing on child nutrition and growth is seeing more success because of initiatives like Kanyashree, which encourage girls to stay in school and pursue higher education. It’s also a crucial factor in preventing child marriages.” She emphasized the global importance of such programs, stating that there is a need to replicate projects like Kanyashree not just in India, but across the world.
The Rupashree project, another key initiative, provides financial support for the marriage of girls from economically disadvantaged families, ensuring that they are not forced into early marriages due to financial hardship. Together, these programs have become cornerstones of Bengal’s social welfare framework, creating a safer and more supportive environment for young women.
The impact of the Kanyashree and Rupashree schemes is clear. Official data shows a marked decline in the incidence of child marriage across Bengal, proving the effectiveness of these initiatives in addressing deep-rooted social issues. The projects have helped transform the lives of millions of girls, making Bengal a leading example of women’s empowerment in India.
UNICEF’s recognition of these projects at the conclave, along with prior acknowledgment at the Maiden’s Day event a few days ago, further solidifies the global importance of Bengal’s efforts to empower women and girls. The conclave serves as a reminder of the critical role that government initiatives can play in shaping a more inclusive and equitable society.
As Bengal continues to make strides in social development, the Kanyashree and Rupashree projects stand as a testament to the power of visionary leadership and the potential of targeted welfare programs to bring about meaningful change.