Lucknow, September 20: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday launched the fifth phase of the ambitious “Mission Shakti-5.0” campaign at Lok Bhavan auditorium, focusing on women’s safety, dignity, and self-reliance.

Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the transformative changes in women’s status since 2017, emphasizing that women’s respect and empowerment remain a top priority for his government.

The Chief Minister inaugurated Mission Shakti Centres in all 1,647 police stations across the state via video conferencing and released the centers’ SOP manuals, informational booklets, and the “Sashakt Nari, Samradh Pradesh” folder. He recalled the initial skepticism when Mission Shakti began in 2020 and lauded its achievements in promoting women’s safety, independence, and respect.

CM Yogi also emphasized the increase in women’s representation in the police force, noting that the number of women personnel has risen from 10,000 at the time of independence to over 44,000 today.

He further stated that 20% women’s participation is now mandatory in all recruitment drives, with training capacities expanded from 3,000 before 2017 to over 60,000. In the latest recruitment of 60,200 police personnel, over 12,000 women joined and are undergoing training.

Highlighting educational initiatives, CM Yogi noted improvements under the Basic Education Council, ensuring children receive uniforms, school bags, books, shoes, socks, and sweaters, addressing gender-based disparities.

He also discussed financial empowerment through the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, which provides ₹25,000 for every daughter from birth to graduation, and the Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, offering ₹1 lakh per daughter’s marriage.

The Chief Minister further stressed integration of central and state programs such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Fit India Movement, Swachh Bharat Mission, Ujjwala Yojana, and Ayushman Bharat, noting that these initiatives strengthen women’s dignity and welfare.

He cited the Banking Correspondent Sakhi Scheme and Nutrition Mission as examples of income-generation and empowerment for women.

Regarding women’s safety, CM Yogi shared that from January 1, 2024, to the 2024-25 fiscal year, 12,271 criminals were convicted in 9,513 cases, including 12 death sentences, 987 life imprisonments, 3,455 sentences of over 10 years, and 60,817 sentences of under 10 years. He highlighted swift police action against criminals threatening women, sending a clear warning across the state.

Mission Shakti’s outreach includes dedicated helplines—1090, 181, 112, 1930, 1076, 102, 101, 108, and 1098—women beat officers, and initiatives such as a bike rally on September 21 and strengthened security at temples during Navratri. Educational institutions will receive mission folders, and programs will recognize outstanding women and personnel.

The event was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, Women Welfare Minister Baby Rani Maurya, Mayor Sushma Kharwal, Chief Secretary Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, MLC Dr. Mahendra Singh, DGP Rajiv Krishna, and other officials.