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74 Women in the Economy (MWG-011)
The 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017): A working group on Women’s agency and empowerment
was set up under the 12th FYP (2012-17) to define the goals under the plan period, review the policies,
strategies and programmes within its scope of work. Currently 12th plan is implemented with
perspective of inclusive growth.

Q8. Mention the institutions for women’s development in detail.
Ans. Some of the important institution set by the State to promote women’s development during
different five-year plans are:
Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB): The Central Social Welfare Board was set up by a
Resolution of Government of India dated 12th August, 1953 with the aim of promoting social welfare
activities and implementing welfare programmes for women, children and the handicapped through
voluntary organizations. Till 1969, the Board functioned as a Government institution and then it was
registered as a charitable company under the Companies Act to give it a legal status. The Board was
given dual responsibility
• of taking welfare services to the disadvantaged sections of society especially women and
children, and
• to develop a nationwide infrastructure of voluntary agencies through which these services
could be made available.
In 1954 the State Social Welfare Advisory Boards were set up in the States and Union Territories to
implement the programmes and assist the Central Social Welfare Board in expansion and
development of welfare services. The financial assistance to voluntary organizations under various
schemes is given on the recommendations of the State Boards. Presently there are 33 State Boards
across the country.
Let us now look at the Objectives of CSWB
• Act as a change maker with a humanitarian approach by reinforcing the spirit of voluntarism.
• Create an enabling mechanism to facilitate networking of committed social workers for the
empowerment of women and children.
• Develop a cadre of sensitive professionals with a gender centric vision committed to equity,
justice and social change.
• Recommend gender specific policy initiatives to meet the new challenges for women and
children in emerging areas.
• Strengthen voluntary organizations and expand coverage of ‘engendered’ schemes in areas
where they have not yet reached.
• Initiate and strengthen its monitoring role through social audit and guide the voluntary sector
for accessing Government funds.
• Generate awareness about the challenges of a society in transition where negative use of
technology and other practices are negatively impacting on the wellbeing of women and
children.
Following programs have been initiated under the aegis of CSWB.
(1) Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working/Ailing
Mothers: The programmed provides day care services to children of (lower income group
families) in the age group of 0-6 years.
(2) Awareness Generation Programme (AGP): This Programme was introduced by the
Central Social Welfare Board in the year 1986-87 with the main objective to identify the
needs of rural and poor women and to increase women’s active participation in
development and other allied programmes. The scheme aims at generating awareness
amongst women and community at large on rights, status and problems of women in
particular and other social concerns. Under the scheme, camps are organized to provide a
platform for women to come together to exchange their experiences and ideas. The process
developed an understanding of reality of women’s life and also a way to tackle their
problems and fulfill their needs.
(3) Condensed Educational Courses for Women: The Scheme was initiated by CSWB in
1958 to cater to the needs of adult girls/women who could not join mainstream education
system or who were drop outs from formal schools. The scheme aims to provide educational
opportunities to girls/women above the age of 15 years along with additional inputs of skill-
development/vocational training. The main focus of the scheme is to ensure that contents of
the course are need-based and modified according to local requirement and simultaneously
targeting towards various stages of educational levels of primary/middle/high school and
matric/secondary level courses. The Condensed Course Programme gained immense
popularity due to its flexible approach and combination of formal and non-formal structure.