Faridabad, Sep 8 (IANS) : Women legislators were on Tuesday exchanged insights on Self Help Groups and National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) at the National Commission for Women (NCW)’s two-day All-India Capacity Building Workshop on the theme “Gender-Responsive Governance” under the ‘She is a Changemaker’ initiative, an official said.
On the concluding day of the event, the participants were addressed by Sumit Mahajan, Saharanpur Chief Development Officer, during a technical session that shared information about the functioning and role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in women’s empowerment and given valuable insights into the objectives of the NRLM, the official said in a statement.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said that a woman’s self-confidence is the beginning of change and her leadership is the mark of progress.
“In our contemplation there is woman, in our tradition there is woman, in our culture there is woman, and in our social consciousness too there is woman. Woman is not merely the axis of the family for us, she is the power of society; she is also the embodiment of tenderness, and the idol of courage and resolve,” she added.
Earlier, a session on “Gender Responsive Governance: Gender Budgeting for Women’s Empowerment” focused on integrating a gender perspective into policymaking, planning and allocation of public resources.
Neelam Gorhe, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, led the session, the statement said.
The session on “Effective Leadership: Values and Public Leadership” deliberated on the importance of integrity, accountability and empathy in public leadership.
Madhulika Kaushik, Pro Chancellor, Usha Martin University, led the session, the statement added.
On the inaugural day of the workshop on Monday, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla highlighted the significance of greater representation of women in democratic institutions, referring to the provision of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies as a historic need.
Observing that the growing presence of women across various public services and professions, Om Birla said that the coming years would witness a new generation of women leaders emerging across political, administrative, and social spheres.
He added that the day is not far when women will account for more than 50 per cent of public services.
The Lok Sabha Speaker said that the focus must now shift from merely providing support and opportunities to women towards enabling them to actively shape policies, programmes, and laws.
Om Birla stressed that women should themselves participate in determining the legislation required to address their concerns and aspirations.
Referring to the constitutional commitment to equality and various legislative measures undertaken for women’s safety, empowerment, and self-reliance, the Lok Sabha Speaker highlighted that institutions such as the NCW have an important role in identifying emerging challenges and facilitating solutions.
He emphasised that women legislators — through the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Panchayats, and Municipalities — can play a decisive role in bringing women’s concerns before appropriate fora and ensuring that laws respond to ground-level realities.
