Financial freedom key to empowerment of women

Tirupati: District administration has organised International Women’s day celebrations in a befitting manner on Thursday. Apart from various other programmes, Rs 396 crore worth of assets distributed to eight lakh women in the district at a function organised in Sri Venkateswara University (SVU). District Collector PS Pradyumna while speaking on the occasion lauded the efforts of women in various fields.

“When women have financial freedom only, it can be called real empowerment. Hence, under various government schemes like Pasupu-Kumkuma, MUDRA, Stand up India etc. financial assistance and assets being distributed to women today,” he stated. DWCRA women stand as a testimony of women empowerment as they are doing Rs 40,000 crore business in the district.

He added that, the government has built two lakh toilets for the self-respect of women and by the end of this March, district will achieve 100 percent ODF with the help of women. He praised the efforts of Bharatamata Mahila Sangham in the district, who were making LED bulbs and giving employment opportunities to many women. Sadhikara Mithras are the bridges between government and people.

With Sadhikara Mithras and DWCRA women, all government schemes were reaching the people, he stated. TUDA Chairman G Narasimha Yadav said, TDP founder NT Rama Rao established Sri Padmavathi Mahila University in Tirupati and the spirit was being carried out by the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who was allocating huge budget to women welfare and development. ZP Chairperson S Girvani said that as NT Rama Rao provided 33 percent reservation in local bodies to women.

She lauded the efforts of District Collector, who was working towards women empowerment. AP Women Finance Corporation director Rajeswari also spoke. Collector has felicitated ZP Chairperson Girvani, Rajeswari and other women on this occasion. DRDA PD Raviprakash Reddy, MEPMA PD Jyothi, ICDS PD Usha Phanikar, SETWEN CEO S Lakshmi and others took part.