Women empowerment stressed by ministers and officials

Minister for Roads and Buildings B.C. Janardhan Reddy and Minister for Minorities Welfare N. Md. Farooq said the NDA government is committed to providing equal opprtunities to women in all sectors. They stressed that empowerment of women is real development.

Speaking at the International Women’s Day celebrations in Nandyal on Sunday (March 8), Mr. Janardhan Reddy said development can be achieved when women are empowered socially, financially and politically. He said TDP founder and former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao was instrumental in women getting equal rights in property, and the present government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was also taking steps for the empowerment of women.

For financial empowerment of the women, the government initiated schemes like free bus rides, Thalli ki Vandanam and three free gas cylinders, Mr. Janardhan Reddy said. The Minister said women, who were once confined to their homes, are now competing with men in agriculture, businesses and all other sectors.

Mr. Farooq stressed the need for more awareness among women on the importance of education. He commended the women who are pursuing education even after their wedding and taking care of their children at the same time.

Mr. Farooq said self-employed women taking care of their families with their income are an inspiration to others. He said the State government is implementing various welfare schemes for SCs, STs, BCs and Shaadi Mubarak for the wedding of Muslim girls.

On the occasion, the ministers visited the stalls set up by Self-Help Groups exhibiting their products.

In Anantapur, the International Women’s Day celebrations were held in Nandamuri Taraka Ramarao auditorium. District Collector O. Anand, Anantapur MLA Daggubati Venkateswara Prasad, TDP district president Pula Nagaraju and A.P. Labour Welfare Board Chairperson Venkatasivudu Yadav took part.

In a similar event organised in Kurnool, District Collector A. Siri listed out the various measures of the government for the welfare of the women.