Nari Shakti Puraskar 2021 | 15 Jan 2022
Why in News
Nominations for the Nari Shakti Puraskar, 2021 are open till 31st January, 2022.
Key points
- About:
- Initiated in the year 1999, it is the highest Civilian Honour for Women in India.
- The President of India confers the Nari Shakti Puraskar on the International Women's Day (8th March), annually.
- The Nari Shakti Puraskar carries a cash award of Rs.2 Lakh and a certificate for individuals and institutions.
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development announces these national level awards for individuals/ groups/ Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)/ institutions etc. The awards are given:
- For encouraging women to participate in decision making roles.
- Women’s skill development in traditional and non-traditional sectors.
- Facilitating basic amenities for rural women.
- Promoting women in non-traditional sectors like science and technology, sports, art, culture concretely.
- For the significant work towards safety and security, health and wellness, education, life skills, respect and dignity of women etc.
- Objectives:
- To showcase the Government’s commitment towards women with the aim of strengthening their position in the society.
- It will also provide an opportunity to Young Indians to understand the contribution of women in building society and the nation.
- It will also help in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
- Eligibility:
- As per the Guidelines, any individual of at least 25 years of age and institutions having worked in the relevant field for at least 5 years are eligible to apply.
International Women's Day
- International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.
- Women’s Day was first celebrated back in 1911 by Clara Zetkin, who was a German. The roots of the celebration had been in the labour movement.
- It was only in 1913, however, that the celebrations were shifted to 8th March, and it has remained that way ever since.
- International Women's Day was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations in 1975.
- In December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions.