Rural Women’s’ Having Major Contribution to Grow Odisha’s Economy;Naveen
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar: Rural women in Odisha are now increasingly becoming major contributors to the State’s growing economy. The empowerment model for women in Odisha is one amongst the best in the country, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Saturday while launching the first FLO Odisha Women’s Awards. The award was instituted to acknowledge women achievers of Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion, Naveen said his Government has always been a champion of the cause of women empowerment. Mission Shakti, one of the key initiatives of the empowerment model, has successfully brought over eight million women from the four walls of family to socio-economic vibrancy, he said.
The Chief Minister said he is glad that with initiatives like Make-in-Odisha, Start-Up Odisha and Skilled-in-Odisha, more and more women in Odisha are taking to entrepreneurship. He said Odisha is the first State in the country to adopt a resolution in the State Assembly to allocate 33 per cent of seats in Parliament and State Legislative Assembly last year to women and since 2011, Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies in the State are represented by over 50 per cent women.
Remembering Biju Babu, Naveen said all through his life, he championed the cause of women empowerment in India. In Odisha, he reposed faith on women to run Panchayat Raj Institutions and envisioned women leaders in every sphere of society.
The Chief Minister thanked the FICCI-FLO for its endeavour to encourage and facilitate women to showcase their talents, skills and energy at the grassroots, middle and senior levels for an inclusive economic growth trajectory. Naveen also congratulated FLO Bhubaneswar Chairperson Dharitri Patnaik and her team for their efforts in women empowerment.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government will continue to ensure women in Odisha have the best possible supporting policies and programmes to be successful in various sectors.
FICCI FLO National president Janhavi Phookan and State president Dharitri Patnaik also spoke on the occasion.
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