The Mahila Samakhya Programme (Education for Women’s Equality) started in 1989 is a concrete programme for the education and empowerment of women in rural areas, particularly those from socially and economically marginalised groups. It is being implemented in more than 15,800 villages spread over 63 districts of nine States viz. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. The Mahila Samakhya scheme will expand to cover two new States of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh during 2006-07.

The objectives of the MS scheme are

1. to enhance the self-image and self-confidence of women
   
   
2. create an environment where women can seek knowledge and information and empower them to play a positive role in their own development and that of society
   
   
3. to establish a decentralized and participative mode of management
   
   
4. to enable the Mahila Sanghas to actively assist and monitor educational activities in the villages including the primary school, adult and non-formal educational centre;
   
   
5. to provide women and adolescent girls with the necessary support structure and create opportunities for their education and
   
   
6. to set in motion circumstances for larger participation of women and girls in formal and non-formal educational programmes.

The Mahila Sangha is the nodal point where all activities are planned. It provides a platform where women can meet, be together and discuss their problems. The funds earmarked for the Sangha can be deposited in a bank or post office account and can be used collectively by the women for a period upto three years. The Sahayoginis look after a group of 10 villages and work as motivators, supporters and guides.

The foremost achievement of Mahila Samakhya is that it has been able to lay the foundation for women’s empowerment at the grassroot level and that it has brought about a change in the outlook of rural women. The legal awareness programme has fructified in the formation of Nari Adalats. These Nari Adalats have emerged as vocal and effective informal courts and have gained both community respect and acceptability. The Mahila Shikshan Kendras (MSKs) provide a unique learning opportunity for adolescent girls and young women. These MSKs have been especially designed to provide condensed quality education courses with innovative methodology and skills development programmes to equip the women and adolescent girls to continue their education and attain life-skills.

URL - http://www.india.gov.in/sectors/education/education4.php#9