Ongole: CM YS Jagan committed to socio, economic empowerment of women says Vasireddy Padma

Ongole: Andhra Pradesh State Women's Commission chairperson Vasireddy Padma on Saturday said that Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy was taking initiatives to empower women socially and economically.

She participated as a chief guest at an awareness programme on the rights of women, anti-human trafficking measures and rescue at the Spandana Hall in the Collectorate here on Saturday.

The Women Commission chairperson explained about the Mahila March @ 100 Days programme. She said that by forming groups with the cooperation from all departments and partnership from all stakeholders, the might of women was on display at the Mahila March.

She emphasised that everyone should work to end the violence, abuse of women and children discrimination, and eradicate human trafficking. She said that the Chief Minister has already brought about a good change in the lives of women with the schemes like Amma Vodi, Cheyutha, Aasara and now with the AMUL dairy farmers project which would enable them to stand independently. She said that women's empowerment is possible only when they are independent, protected, and provided security.

She said that the Chief Minister has been extending full support to women and advised them to derive benefit from all the welfare schemes and avail the 50 per cent reservation provided by the government. Padma announced that to encourage the women from the ground level to take initiative in all fields, the commission is taking up various programmes at the village and mandal levels.

"In case a woman is abused in a village, the village women police and women village secretaries should extend support to her provide her confidence," she said. The Mahila Commission chief lauded SP Siddharth Kaushal for opening special help desks for women at police stations.

Retired IPS Dr P M Nair and former Women Commission member Sunitha Krishnan participated in the meeting through Zoom and shared their experiences in the fight against human trafficking. Nair suggested establishing anti-human trafficking clubs in every college while Sunitha Krishnan opined that poverty is a reason for the prostitution and advised the administration to treat the victims with compassion.

District Collector Dr Pola Bhaskara, SP Siddharth Kaushal, DLSA secretary P Srinivasa Rao, JC TS Chetan, former MLC Pothula Suneetha, Women Commission member T Ramadevi, ADMHO Dr Padmavathi, OSD Chowdeswari and others participated in the programme.