HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
Under the initiative led by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB), tourist destinations in Madhya Pradesh are undergoing significant improvements to ensure the safety and comfort of women travelers. This project not only attracts solo women tourists but also empowers rural women across the state.
According to Madhya Pradesh Culture and Tourism Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, out of the 10,000 women trained by the MPTB, over 65 percent have secured employment in the hospitality sector. He emphasized that more than 6,591 women have either obtained jobs or become self-employed after completing skill development training, with a focus on maximizing female workforce engagement at tourist destinations.
Minister Lodhi stated, “Rural women are being trained for various job roles such as car drivers, sailors, forest guides, security guards, and other hospitality services, many of whom are experiencing training opportunities for the first time at tourist destinations.”
MP Tourism Principal Secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla affirmed the commitment to ensuring the safety of women at all major tourist destinations in the state. The ‘Safe Tourism Destination for Women’ project is being implemented across 50 tourist spots within 20 clusters across 33 districts. Additionally, around 40,000 young girls have received self-defense training at each destination.
As of January 2024, approximately 29,387 rural women have been trained and actively contribute as social capital at their respective destinations to support tourism and cultural events. The MPTB aims to declare at least one destination fully managed by women each year, focusing on the financial inclusion and social upliftment of rural women.
In conjunction with the police department, efforts are underway to identify and address shadow areas for enhanced safety. To commemorate International Women’s Day, the MPTB recently organized the ‘Queens on the Wheel’ event, featuring a journey spanning 1,400 kilometers and covering prominent places such as Bhopal, Sanchi, Chanderi, Kuno, Gwalior, Orchha, and Khajuraho, with the participation of around 25 women bikers from across the country.
