Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Women and Child Development department on Friday launched a week-long programme to mark International Women’s Day at the Convention Center in Lokseva Bhavan. Gracing the occasion as the chief guest, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated this year’s International Women’s Day to the crores of mothers who continue to struggle to make a special place for themselves in their life.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that women’s empowerment is not just a slogan but a reality today. “Today, the mothers of Odisha are the bearers of transformation. A huge organisation of 70 lakhs of women is transforming from SHG to SME today. Now, mothers have embarked on a journey to become entrepreneurs,” he said.
Patnaik further said, “Mothers have created a special place for themselves in society with their talents and skills. They have proved that daughters are no longer a burden for the family today, but they are gems.”
It is worth mentioning here that this year’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’. Highlighting this, the Chief Minister said, “Technology has given us a unique opportunity to eliminate the gender gap in society. The application of innovation and technology can eliminate disparities in education, employment workplace and society, and protect the rights of women.”
“Violence and discrimination against women can be prevented through gender equality, thereby establishing a fair society,” he observed. He called upon the people to work towards creating a just society by giving women equal rights in all fields and applying more and more innovation and technology.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister launched ‘Kuni’ – the youth mascot of the Women and Child Development Department. The mascot will work to sensitise the youth on education, rights and other areas. He also unveiled the state’s new child policy and MIS portal ‘Prambha’.
Janki Vashal of Bhubaneswar Vijayalakshmi Self-Help Group narrated her experiences and said that the Chief Minister’s women’s empowerment programme has enabled them to work independently in various fields. “We were able to show our skills in making masks and national flags and earn a living during the Covid-19 period. Now, we are not looking back anymore,” she said.
The Chief Minister also awarded the best Anganwadi and Mission Shakti workers for their contribution to society on the occasion.
Among others, Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, and Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg were present on the occasion.
