New Delhi
Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Smt Surama Padhy and several women legislators from the State participated in the two-day All-India Capacity Building Conference being held in New Delhi on September 7 and 8.
Addressing the conference, Speaker Padhy highlighted Odisha’s initiatives towards women’s empowerment, stating that women are being given priority in various spheres, from budget preparation to law-making. She said reservation at the grassroots level, Mission Shakti and other welfare initiatives have significantly strengthened women’s participation in society. Through nearly six lakh Self-Help Groups, around 70 lakh women have benefited under Mission Shakti.
She also highlighted initiatives for improving adolescent nutrition, reducing maternal and child mortality, and providing self-defence training to girl students in 730 government and government-aided colleges and 16 universities.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the conference, while National Commission for Women Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar delivered the welcome address. Organised by the NCW, the conference aims to enhance women legislators’ leadership, communication and governance skills through training on Gender Responsive Governance.
Women legislators and Legislative Council members from across India are participating in the conference for the first time. The Odisha delegation, led by Speaker Padhy, includes Pramila Mallik, Subasini Jena, Sujata Sahu, Seemarani Nayak, Manorama Mohanty, Sofia Firdous, Upasana Mohapatra and Barsha Singh Bariha, among others.
