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 (8^th 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 8^th 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.

Source: PIB