Vulnerability of women due to death of husband, desertion or divorce is widely prevalent but rarely acknowledged and scantly addressed in India. Situations like these are emotionally shattering, socially marginalizing and economically depriving for women and they are left with children eventually falling into the miserable trap of poverty. This established an immediate need for comprehensive intervention to provide emotional, social, economical and legal support to Widowed/Deserted/Separated (WWDS) women and their children. As part of this initiative, WWDS women were identified from remote corners of Surguja district. This was done through an empirical survey conducted to locate WDS women and identify their needs. The survey was conducted around segments like general information, sources of income, health, sanitation, drinking water, legal aid etc. Data analysis was done to prepare a case to case intervention plan. Capacity building and sensitization exercise was undertaken, both for surveyors and department officials. A total 8,998 WDS women in Surguja between 18-60 years were identified and covered under the initiative. Convergence with other schemes Personnel from 21 different line departments, Civil Society Organization (CSOs), Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and active members worked towards empowerment of WDS women through benefits under 68 different schemes... Read More