Women play a crucial role in shaping society, yet many continue to face social, financial, and educational barriers. To address these challenges, the Government of Maharashtra has implemented numerous women empowerment schemes aimed at promoting equality, financial independence, education, and safety for women across the state.
From rural entrepreneurs to working mothers, these programs ensure that women have access to the support they need to lead empowered and dignified lives.This article provides a comprehensive guide to the top women empowerment schemes in Maharashtra for 2025, including their objectives, eligibility criteria, and benefits.
Empowering women means providing them equal opportunities in education, employment, decision-making, and social participation. When women are empowered, families and communities thrive.In Maharashtra — a state known for its progressive governance — various schemes have been launched under the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) and other departments to ensure social justice and gender equality.The core goals include:
The Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is one of the flagship women empowerment schemes launched by the Government of Maharashtra in 2024. It aims to provide financial assistance to eligible women aged 21 to 60 years to promote their independence and welfare.
Applications can be made online at https://ladkibahin-yojana.org or through the official Maha e-Seva Kendra. Beneficiaries must complete eKYC verification to receive the benefit.
The Tejaswini Maharashtra Project focuses on improving the livelihood of rural women through entrepreneurship, self-help groups (SHGs), and micro-business development.
The scheme is supported by the World Bank and implemented by the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM).
The Udyogini Scheme empowers women entrepreneurs by providing financial assistance and subsidies to start or expand small businesses.
Eligible women can apply through nationalized banks, cooperative banks, or the District Industries Centre (DIC) of their region.
The Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM) is a government body established in 1975 to promote women’s economic development in Maharashtra.
MAVIM has empowered over 15 lakh women across 35 districts, helping them start small businesses, gain financial independence, and improve their standard of living.
Named after Savitribai Phule, India’s first woman teacher, this scheme focuses on promoting education among girls, especially from backward and marginalized communities.
The Manodhairya Yojana offers financial and psychological support to women and children who are victims of violence, sexual assault, or acid attacks.
The Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), Maharashtra.
This scheme reinforces the government’s commitment to women’s safety and dignity.
To support women facing domestic violence or harassment, Maharashtra operates One Stop Centres, also known as Sakhi Centres.
Ensure that women in distress receive all essential support under one roof without delay.
The SHG Bank Linkage Programme, under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and MAVIM, connects women’s self-help groups with formal banking systems.
This initiative has been a cornerstone of women’s empowerment in rural Maharashtra.
Over the years, these initiatives have significantly improved the status of women in the state:
According to government data, over 2 crore women have benefited directly from various empowerment programs since 2015.
Most schemes can be applied for through:
Applicants should keep essential documents ready such as Aadhaar Card, residence proof, bank account details, income certificate, and passport-size photographs.
Women empowerment is not just a policy in Maharashtra — it’s a movement towards equality and progress. Through schemes like Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Tejaswini Project, Udyogini Scheme, and MAVIM, the state has set a benchmark for inclusive development.These initiatives ensure that every woman, regardless of her background, gets the opportunity to learn, earn, and lead.As Maharashtra continues to expand its welfare programs in 2025, women across the state can look forward to greater independence, safety, and social respect — building a future where empowerment is a way of life.