Identify livelihood sectors & submit proposals for govt collaboration: Conrad to women leaders – Times of India

Report on Meghalaya’s Initiatives for Sustainable Development and Gender Equality

A report on the address by Meghalaya’s Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, during the silver jubilee celebrations of Women for Integrated and Sustainable Empowerment (WISE). The Chief Minister outlined the government’s strategic alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focusing on gender equality, health, and economic growth.

Strategic Collaboration for Livelihood and Economic Growth (SDG 8 & SDG 17)

The Chief Minister urged women leaders from WISE to identify key livelihood sectors and submit proposals for government collaboration. This initiative aims to create partnerships that foster sustainable economic growth and decent work for all, directly contributing to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Advancements in Maternal Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

Addressing Maternal Mortality

Significant progress has been made in improving maternal health, a core component of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Key government interventions include:

• Increasing institutional deliveries from below 50% to approximately 70%.
• Establishing nearly 400 Safe Motherhood Homes to accommodate high-risk mothers.
• Providing a daily incentive of Rs. 500 to high-risk mothers and their attendants housed in these facilities.

Socio-Economic Determinants of Health

The report highlights the interconnectedness of maternal health with social and economic factors. The Chief Minister emphasized that the economic and social empowerment of women is a prerequisite for improving maternal health outcomes and family well-being, linking SDG 3 with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Fostering Women’s Economic Empowerment and Leadership (SDG 5 & SDG 8)

Expansion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

The state has witnessed a transformative expansion of its Self-Help Group network, a key driver for grassroots economic empowerment. This directly supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

• The number of SHGs increased from approximately 5,000 in 2018 to nearly 55,000.
• The revolving fund accessible to these groups grew from Rs. 40 crore to Rs. 1,100 crore.

Enhancing Political and Community Participation

Measures have been implemented to ensure women’s full and effective participation in leadership and decision-making, in line with SDG 5.5.

• A 50% reservation for women has been established for all Village Employment Council (VEC) positions.
• As a result, over 3,000 VECs are now headed by women.

Government Programmes and Economic Outcomes

Several flagship government programmes have been instrumental in promoting women-led economic development.

1. MOTHER Programme: The Meghalaya Outcome Transformation in Health, Education, Rural Development, and Social Welfare programme adopts an integrated approach to improve the welfare of women and children.
2. CM-ELEVATE and PRIME: These programmes have invested over Rs. 150 crore in funding, training, and equipment, with women constituting 60% of the beneficiaries.
3. Agricultural Growth: A notable outcome of women-led enterprise is the increase in Lakadong turmeric production, which rose from 1,000 metric tonnes in 2017-18 to nearly 20,000 metric tonnes, showcasing a tangible impact on SDG 8.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The article discusses economic empowerment and livelihood programs aimed at uplifting communities, which are fundamental to poverty reduction.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the fight against maternal mortality and improving maternal health services.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The central theme of the article is the empowerment of women through economic opportunities, leadership roles, and improved health outcomes.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article highlights government initiatives to promote women-led economic growth, entrepreneurship, and livelihood development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  • Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. The Chief Minister’s focus on Meghalaya’s high maternal mortality rate and the initiatives to combat it, such as establishing Safe Motherhood Homes and increasing institutional deliveries, directly align with this target.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The article mentions the reservation of 50% of Village Employment Council (VEC) positions for women and notes that over 3,000 VECs are now headed by women, which directly supports this target.
  • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources. The government’s flagship programs like CM-ELEVATE and PRIME, where 60% of beneficiaries are women, and the massive expansion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for women, aim to provide them with greater access to economic resources like funding, training, and equipment.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services. The article details government investment of over Rs. 150 crore in funding and training, the growth of SHGs with a revolving fund of Rs. 1,100 crore, and the promotion of women-led enterprises like Lakadong turmeric production, all of which align with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 3.1 (Reduce maternal mortality):

  • Indicator 3.1.1 (Maternal mortality ratio): The Chief Minister explicitly mentions the “maternal mortality rate” as a key concern.
  • Indicator 3.1.2 (Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel): The article states that “institutional deliveries were once below 50% but have since risen to about 70%,” which serves as a direct measure of progress.
  • The establishment of “nearly 400 Safe Motherhood Homes” is a programmatic indicator of the effort to improve maternal health infrastructure.

• For Target 5.5 (Ensure women’s participation in leadership):

  • Indicator 5.5.1 (Proportion of seats held by women in… local governments): The article provides specific data: “reservation of 50% of all Village Employment Council (VEC) positions for women” and “over 3,000 VECs are now headed by women.” These figures directly measure women’s participation in local decision-making bodies.

• For Target 5.a and 8.3 (Economic empowerment and entrepreneurship):

  • The number of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) increased from “about 5,000 in 2018” to “close to 55,000” today.
  • The size of the revolving fund for SHGs grew from “Rs. 40 crore to Rs. 1,100 crore.”
  • The proportion of women beneficiaries in government programs: “60% of beneficiaries are women” for CM-ELEVATE and PRIME.
  • The volume of production in a women-led sector: “Lakadong turmeric production from 1,000 metric tonnes in 2017–18 to nearly 20,000 metric tonnes today.”
  • Total government investment in women’s entrepreneurship: “govt investing over Rs. 150 crore in funding, training, and equipment.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com