Question : Preferential Status to Widows- Divorced Women

(a) whether the Government has conducted any survey on the number of households where women assumes the role of family head either due to husband’s abandonment or death during and the last three years and the current year if so, the details thereof;
(b) if not, the reasons therefor along with any ongoing proposal of the Government to do the same;
(c) whether the Government has initiated any special scheme to provide financial or other assistance to such women owing to their challenging circumstances, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government provides preferential status to the widows and divorced women in various Government schemes and if so, the details thereof along with the percentage women beneficiaries thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) The Registrar General of India conducts decennial Population Census wherein data are collected on all persons living in the country at the time of Census taking. As per Census 2011, there are total 32782638 number of females who head family, out of these, 22382403 are widowed, 937361 are divorced and 259564 are separated.

(b) Does not arise.

(c) & (d) The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing the Swadhar Greh Scheme which targets the women victims of unfortunate circumstances who are in need of institutional support for rehabilitation so that they could lead their life with dignity. The Scheme envisages providing shelter, food, clothing and health as well as economic and social security for the women victims of difficult circumstances which includes widows and divorced women.

(e) Does not arise.