Bhubaneswar: The empowerment model for women in the State is one amongst the best in the country, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Saturday.
“My government has always been a champion of the cause of women empowerment. Mission Shakti, one of the key initiatives of our empowerment model, has successfully brought over eight million women from the four walls of family to socio- economic vibrancy,” the Chief Minister said addressing the FICCI FLO Odisha Award ceremony.
He said the rural women in State are, now, increasingly becoming a major contributor to our growing economy.
“I am also glad that with initiatives like Make-in-Odisha, Start-Up Odisha and Skilled-in-Odisha, more and more women are coming to entrepreneurship,” Patnaik added.
The Chief Minister said, “Our women have also been achieving great feats in national and international sports.”
Furthermore, Odisha became the first state in the country to walk the talk and resolved in State Assembly to allocate 33 per cent of seats in the Parliament and State Legislative Assembly last year.
Since 2011, Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies in State are represented by over 50 percent women, he said.
He complimented the FICCI-FLO for its endeavour to encourage and facilitate women to showcase their talents, skills and energy at the grassroots, middle and senior levels, for an inclusive economic growth trajectory.
“You are the role models for many young women of our state and your work is an inspiration for them,” the Chief Minister said.
He said Biju Babu, all through his life, championed the cause of women empowerment in India.
In Odisha, he Reposed faith on women to run Panchayati Raj Institutions and envisioned women leaders in every sphere of society.
He also complimented Chairperson of FLO Bhubaneswar Dharitri Patnaik and her team for the efforts in women empowerment.
Mr.Patnaik released the policy brief on Women Entrepreneurship in Odisha and assured that the State government will continue to ensure women in Odisha have the best possible supporting policies and programs to be successful in the various sectors while congratulating the women achievers.
National President FICCI FLO Janhavi Phookan and State President Dharitri Patnaik also spoke on the occasion.