International Day of Girls: WB's Kanyashree scheme empowers 50L girls

By Anjana Raghav
(PTI desk)

Edited by Pallabi C Samal

Oct 11, 2018

01:15 pm

What's the story

More than 50L girls in West Bengal have been empowered by the Kanyashree scheme of the State Government, WB CM Mamata Banerjee said today. Banerjee took to Twitter on International Day of the Girl Child to state that her government has allocated a budget of over Rs. 5600 crores for the scheme. The scheme was launched in 2011 soon after Banerjee came to power.

Information

What is the Kanyashree scheme?

Kanyashree is a conditional cash transfer scheme. It aims at improving the status and well being of the girl child by incentivizing schooling of teenage girls and delaying their marriages until the age of 18. It received the United Nations Public Service Award last year.

Twitter Post

Mamata Banerjee confirms the development on Twitter

Today is International Day of the Girl Child. I am happy to share that our #Kanyashree Prakalpa for girl child had been feted by the @UN in 2017. More than 50 lakh girls have been empowered through this scheme which has a budget of Rs 5600+ crores. Best wishes to all #BiswaBangla

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 11, 2018

About

Why do we celebrate International Day of Girls?

Since 2012, the world has recognized October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child. This day, created by UN, seeks to address needs and challenges girls face while promoting girls' empowerment and fulfillment of their human rights. Every year, the day is celebrated with a theme, having some significance in girls' life. This year's theme is "With Her: A Skilled Girl Force".