A two-day national conference focused on parliamentary and legislative committees concerning women’s empowerment concluded in Tirupati with a collective call for increased investments. Participants advocated for scaling up resources in women’s health, education, skills development, and entrepreneurship to maximize their potential. During the concluding session, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla asserted that empowering women represents not just a social or moral obligation, but an “economic necessity” for India to leverage human capital and achieve resilient, inclusive development.
The event, which coincided with International Day of Democracy, also highlighted the significance of gender-responsive budgeting. Speaker Birla stressed that this approach should transcend financial allocations, evolving into a socio-economic model that incorporates women’s requirements into fundamental developmental policies. He further emphasized the need for greater financial provisions in women’s healthcare, education, skills training, entrepreneurship, and access to credit, supported by data-driven monitoring. Conference resolutions also included bridging the digital divide, fostering women’s engagement in STEM fields, and ensuring their online safety.
Source: www.thehindu.com