Government Cash Helps Widows, Elderly and Disabled Women First in India

The Indian government has announced its plans to help hundreds of millions of women affected by the impacts of the coronavirus lockdown – especially those already living with little to no income and limited healthcare.

The measures are part of a nearly $23 billion plan to help poor women – who are among the most excluded groups in the nation – amid the strict lockdown aimed at limiting the spread of the virus in India.

For the next three months starting April, 30 million people including poor widows, senior citizens and disabled people will receive some cash through direct transfers, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, adding that another 200 million women with bank accounts opened under a government financial inclusion initiative will also get some help for the same time period.

Sitharaman has also announced that around $26,500 will go to 6.3 million microfinance initiatives that set up women’s self-help groups in India, which amounts to double what they currently get. Sitharaman highlights that the plans, which include food security measures, will help around two-thirds of India’s population of 1.3 billion people.