By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday addressed a national conference hosted here by the Sate Women Commission.“My Government has always held that “ No household, no society, no state , no country has ever moved forward without empowering its women. “At the core of our key initiatives is the effort to make girls and women financially independent and truly empowered,” he said.
As you know, Mission Shakti is one of our flagship programmes. It encompasses in its fold 70 lakh women in all habitations across the state. Mission Shakti symbolises the transformation that is happening across the state – helping women emerge as decision makers and torch bearers of a new inclusive Odisha, the CM said.
An important issue for us is the representation of women in democratic institutions – from the grassroots panchayats to the Assembles and Parliament . Odisha has reserved 50 percent seats for women in panchayats. In the recently concluded local body elections ,more than 55 percent women have got elected . 21 out of 30 District Presidents are women. In a first by any political party Biju Janata Dal reserved one third seats for women in the 2019 loksabha elections, he said.
“Our Mamata scheme empowers pregnant women by assuring them financial support at a vulnerable time. BSKY – our health assurance scheme has a 10 lakh coverage for women . Our Sudakshya scheme seeks to provide quality technical education to girls.
Our land right documents are issued in the name of women. To ensure uninterrupted education we have nearly three lakh girls in our hostels.Women play a huge role in the transformation story of New Odisha- inclusive aspirational and empowering .The State Commission for Women is actively taking up issues involving women. I thank it for organizing this national event,” Patnaik said.
“For two days, experts in women’s issues will deliberate on various issues and come out with workable solutions and findings. My Government is open to accept any suggestion to further strengthen our system. I hope all of you will have a nice time here in the temple city of Bhubaneswar,” he added.
