"Empowering Working Mothers: Karnataka's 'Koosina Mane' Initiative Paves the Way"
This Post is based on the article "Koosina Mane: Redefining childcare" Which was Published in The Hindu on 17th August 2023 . "Koosina Mane" is a scheme introduced by the Karnataka government in its 2023-24 Budget. The scheme aims to set up child homes or creches across 4,000 gram panchayats in Karnataka. Its primary purpose is to provide healthcare, nutrition, and safety for children whose mothers are employed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), as well as for other mothers in the vicinity. This initiative is significant for several reasons: Boosting Women's Labor Force Participation: The MGNREGA mandates that a certain percentage of beneficiaries be women. However, women's labor force participation under MGNREGA in Karnataka is relatively lower than in neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala. By providing reliable childcare infrastructure through "Koosina Mane," the Karnataka government aims to