PRAYAGRAJ, June 6 -- Rural women in Prayagraj will soon have dedicated centres where they can raise issues related to domestic violence, gender discrimination and social empowerment, as the district begins setting up Mahila Shakti Kendras under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM). The initiative aims to improve women's safety, dignity and self-reliance by creating support systems to address gender-related concerns and promote social and economic empowerment in villages. According to Viraj Singh, district mission manager, NRLM-Prayagraj, the process of establishing and operating the centres has started. In the first phase, Koraon and Baharia development blocks have been selected, and buildings for the centres have already been identified. The centres will be managed by women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the State Rural Livelihood Mission. These women, known as 'Shakti Sakhis', will help women facing gender-based issues and connect them with the required support services. As part of the first phase, four Shakti Sakhis will be selected in the district. The recruitment process includes a written examination and interviews. Officials said 45 women appeared for the written test held at Saras Auditorium in Vikas Bhawan on June 4. A selection committee headed by the chief development officer (CDO) will choose four candidates. The selected women will undergo training at the mission headquarters before taking up their duties. One of the candidates, Vinu Saroj from Baharia block, said gender discrimination still exists in many villages despite growing awareness. She expressed hope that the initiative would help women facing such challenges and bring positive change at the grassroots level. Officials said the Mahila Shakti Kendras will act as support platforms for women and vulnerable groups. The centres will focus on addressing issues such as domestic violence, discrimination and other social challenges while encouraging economic empowerment. Singh said the programme will function through a multi-level support structure, including Gender Point Persons at the SHG level, Social Action sub-committees at village organisation and cluster-level federation levels, and Mahila Shakti Manches and Mahila Shakti Kendras at panchayat and block levels. Each Mahila Shakti Kendra will have two to four Gender Community Resource Persons, known as Shakti Sakhis. They will receive a monthly remuneration of Rs.7,500, including an honorarium of Rs.6,000 and a travel allowance of Rs.1,500, which will be paid through the designated Cluster-Level Federation....