Saksham or Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Boys

Government has recently launched a fresh scheme, ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Boys’ to empower the adolescent boys.

It is also called as project ‘Saksham’ that aims to empower the overall development of youngsters, to make them self-dependant, gender-sensitive, and aware citizens. It will also help them deal with gender violence, and harness their power for the nation-building.

It will address the needs of adolescent boys, (both the school-going and outside of the school), of ages between 11 to 18 years. The age group is further subdivided as 11 to 14, and 14 to 18.

Initially, it will be executed in 20 districts across 7 States, and benefit around 6 lakh adolescent boys every year. It will help them to address their various health needs – mental, physical, and emotional in an effective manner.

It will spread the awareness of cleanliness, nutrition, sexual, and reproductive health among teenage boys. Along with the life-skills education and public services information, it will offer career skills to the boys above 16, through NSDP (National Skill Development Program).

Ministry of Labour & Employment had already chosen the Vocational Service Providers under National Skill Development Programme. Now, these providers will support ‘Saksham’ for providing career training.

‘Saksham’ will utilise the structures made under ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services Scheme). Dedicated ‘Saksham’ units/cells will be formed at the Center, each State, districts, and blocks.

The Anganwadi centres are the central points to deliver the services, and if the Anganwadi infrastructure is inadequate, they will use panchayat halls, community centers, or schools.

Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Boys

National Skill Development Programme