Jabalpur: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday addressed a gathering during a programme organised under Fit India Women’s Week 2026 in Jabalpur, highlighting women’s empowerment, preventive healthcare and ongoing development initiatives in the state.
Speaking about women’s health, the Chief Minister praised the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which provides the Gardasil vaccine free of cost to adolescent girls for the prevention of cervical cancer.
He noted that the vaccine, which usually costs around Rs 9,000 in private clinics, is now being made available free of charge through the campaign. According to him, a single dose can offer long-term protection, and he encouraged families to ensure that eligible girls benefit from the initiative.
Emphasising the state government’s commitment to women’s welfare, Yadav highlighted schemes such as Ladli Behna Yojana and Ladli Laxmi Yojana. He said that earlier, daughters often faced several challenges from birth, but these initiatives have helped improve their social and economic status.
Referring to India’s cultural traditions, the Chief Minister said that mothers and sisters have always held a place of honour in society, which is reflected in names of deities such as Sitaram, Radhe Krishna and Gauri Ganesh.
He also pointed out that the state has implemented 50 per cent reservation for women in government jobs and local body elections, recognising that women constitute half of the population. Yadav thanked the Prime Minister for enabling 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which will further strengthen women’s representation in public life.
The Chief Minister said women are now excelling across sectors, from leadership roles in the armed forces to various professional fields.
Recalling the celebrations of International Women’s Day on March 8, Yadav mentioned that he participated in an event at Karila Mata, marking the birth anniversaries of Sita Mata and Luvkush Ji.
He also noted that the monthly assistance under the Ladli Behna scheme has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,250, with plans to provide an additional Rs 3,000 per month to women working in certain industries to support their livelihoods. (With inputs from IANS)