Rajasthan's Manzil Program Transforms Lives of Over 16,000 Girls with Job Placements
The Rajasthan government's innovative Manzil skill-to-employment programme has achieved remarkable success, helping over 16,000 girls secure stable jobs across various districts in the state. This transformative initiative, which began as a pilot project in six districts back in 2019, has steadily expanded its reach and impact over the years.
Program Expansion and Implementation
Originally launched in a limited capacity, the program saw significant growth in 2023 when it expanded to 10 districts across Rajasthan. Currently, Manzil is being actively implemented in Ajmer, Alwar, Baran, Bhilwara, Dausa, Dungarpur, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, and Udaipur districts. The program operates through a collaborative framework involving the education department and the Rajasthan Skills and Livelihoods Development Corporation.
Target Demographic and Objectives
Manzil specifically targets girls and young women aged 15–21 years, encompassing both those currently enrolled in schools and those who have dropped out. The program's comprehensive objectives include:
- Building practical vocational skills relevant to current job markets
- Supporting continued education and academic pursuits
- Delaying early marriage through economic empowerment
- Enabling entry into safe, paid employment opportunities
Impressive Outcomes and Statistics
Over the past six years, the program has achieved substantial milestones. More than 71,000 girls have completed vocational education under the Manzil initiative. Perhaps even more impressive is the retention rate – approximately 70% of placed beneficiaries continue in their jobs for six months or longer, indicating sustainable employment outcomes.
A senior education department official highlighted the program's unique value proposition: "While schools were offering skill and vocational training, linking it to jobs was a key gap. This project bridged that gap and helped girls secure employment. Many from remote areas are now working outside their districts, supporting their families and emerging as role models in their villages."
National Recognition and Expansion
The program's demonstrated success has captured the attention of the Union government. Both the Department of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship are actively considering adopting the Manzil model on a larger national scale. Beyond Rajasthan, the program is already being expanded to Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar by their respective state governments.
Transformative Impact on Beneficiaries
For many participants, Manzil has been nothing short of life-changing. Numerous beneficiaries have become primary breadwinners for their families, with several emerging as the first girls from their villages to work in urban centers.
Success Stories from Program Participants
Deepa Balai from Ugankheda village in Ajmer district completed a general duty assistant course through Manzil and secured employment at a hospital in Jaipur in January 2023. She shared: "Coming from an agricultural family, there was always a financial crunch as my parents had to raise five kids. After I learnt about Manzil, it was a long journey from convincing my parents to send me to Tonk for the training, to working and living alone in Jaipur. I am the first girl ever from my village who works outside in a city."
Santosh Bunkar, hailing from Malikpur village in Chomu, Jaipur, comes from a scheduled caste community where traditionally no girl ventured outside for education or work. In 2021, she discovered the Manzil program and faced initial resistance: "I had to convince my parents for months to take up a skill course, that too in a residential school." Her persistence paid off handsomely – after completing her training, she secured a position at Indira Gandhi International Airport with a salary of Rs 22,000. She reflected: "The idea of a job and salary all felt like a distant dream, and now living it feels unreal. Looking at me, my parents are allowing my sisters to study too."
The Manzil program represents a significant step forward in women's economic empowerment in Rajasthan, demonstrating how targeted skill development initiatives can create lasting social and economic transformation while addressing gender disparities in employment opportunities.
