3.7 An effort to be made to reunite abandoned widows with their families, if necessary,
with the help of the court, for which a database should be prepared. A nodal officer
may be appointed to supervise reunion of the widows with their families.
4. Provision of skill development and access to sustainable livelihoods:
4.1
Many widows residing In shelter homes and Ashrams come from marginalized
families and have had little to no access to formal education. Efforts should be
made to enroll them in education programmes like New India Literacy Programme
(NILP) and other programmes to give them at least foundational literacy, including
financial literacy. Homes and Ashrams may partner with local NGOs to encourage
and provide education to widows.
4.2
Widows should be made self-reliant through self-employment by way of providing
the necessary skill training.
4.3
Creation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to serve as a catalyst for self-employment and
entrepreneurial activities by widows may be encouraged.
4.4
Additionally, local organizations and training centers that can provide initial
training and basic support should be involved.
4.5
The skill training programmes may be tailored to meet the needs of the widows.
The concerned authorities may take regular feedbacks from them to ensure that
the skill training programmes are meeting their expectations.
4.6
Regular sessions should be organized by experts and para-legal volunteers in order
to create awareness amongst the widows about their legal/ fundamental rights,
and constitutional and other remedies.
4.7
Digital access and digital literacy should be encouraged and supported for widows
through regular training programmes.
4.8 Since many widows do not reside in shelter homes, such widows should also have
the full opportunity to enroll in skill development and training programmes for
their socio-economic upliftment and participation in mainstream society.
4.9
Educated widows should refrain from doing menial jobs. Suitable jobs should be
provided to them so as to enable them to earn their livelihood.
4.10 The widows should be ensured access to decent employment and they should not
be dependent upon their family.
4.11 The widows should not be involved In begging.
5. Access to easy banking and financial independence
5.1 Concerned agencies should ensure that all widows have a personal bank account
under Pradhan Mantri Jan Ohan Yojana.
5.2 Simple measures like access to banking services, small savings, access to easy loans,
and financial literacy to be ensuredby the concerned agencies.