Ministry of Rural Development Signs MoU with SAKSHI to Boost Legal Literacy for Women in Rural India

New Delhi: To enhance legal literacy and empower women in rural India, the Ministry of Rural Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAKSHI, a non-profit organization committed to tackling gender-based violence. The MoU was signed by Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry, and Smita Bharti, President of SAKSHI, during a ceremony held yesterday.

The partnership is set to bolster the gender programme under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), which aims to empower rural women through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). SAKSHI will play a pivotal role in developing educational materials that inform women about their legal rights and the remedies available to them. The organization will also provide training to Resource Persons, thereby strengthening the Gender Resource Centres (GRCs) established at the block level.

Charanjit Singh emphasized the importance of the partnership, stating, “This collaboration will significantly enhance the capacities of rural women by equipping them with essential legal knowledge and resources, enabling them to address gender-based violence and other challenges they face.”

Smita Bharti, representing SAKSHI, highlighted the organization’s commitment to creating safe, violence-free spaces through legal advocacy, education, and behavioural change. “Through this partnership, we aim to empower SHG women, ensuring they have access to the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard their rights,” she said.