Smt. Krishna Tirath Launches Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Boys –“Saksham”

• Saksham (the self-reliant individual) aims at all-round development of Adolescent Boys (ABs) to make them self-reliant, gender-sensitive and aware citizens, when they grow up. 
• The scheme will cover all adolescent boys (both school going and out of school) in the age-group of 11 to 18 years subdivided into two categories, viz. 11-14 & 14-18 years. 
• In the first phase, Saksham scheme shall be implemented in 20 selected districts in seven States on a pilot basis benefitting nearly 6 lakh adolescent boys annually.
• Budget allocation of Rs. 100 crore has been earmarked for 12th Five Year Plan. 
• In 2014-15, an allocation of Rs. 25 crore is made for the scheme. 

The scheme will have the following objectives –

1. To make the Adolescent Boys gender sensitive.
2. To create sensitized Ahimsa Messengers to address Violence against Women.
3. To enable ABs for self-development and empowerment.
4. To address the health needs i.e. the physical, mental and emotional health of ABs.
5. To promote awareness about health, hygiene, nutrition and Adolescent Reproductive & Sexual Health (ARSH) and family and child care.
6. To provide appropriate information and vocational skills for ABs above 16 years through National Skill Development Program (NSDP) for future work-participation.
7. To provide necessary life skill education and to provide information/guidance about existing public services.
8. To channelize the energies of ABs for nation building.

• It will also provide vocational skills to those aged above 16 years through the National Skill Development Program (NSDP) for future work-participation, besides life skill education and information on public services.
• The structures under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) will be utilised as a platform. 
• This will be supported by a dedicated Saksham unit/cell created at the Centre and in the State, district and block levels. 
• The Anganwadi centre is the focal point for the delivery of the services; wherever Anganwadi infrastructure is inadequate, community centre, school or panchayat hall will be used.
• The Vocational Service Providers under the National Skill Development Programme, being implemented by the Ministry of Labour & Employment, will be used to offer vocational training.