AMARAVATI (AP), Feb 9: In a first-of-its-kind event bringing ‘women empowerment’ at the centre stage of debate and deliberations, a National Women’s Parliament (NWP) will be held near Vijayawada tomorrow.
The event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference and attended, among others, by Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
With the main theme of ‘Empowering Women-Strengthening Democracy’, the three-day conclave will be held at ‘Pavitra Sangamam’ on the outskirts of Vijayawada in the capital region.
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly is organising the event and the state government is hosting it with support of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Inter-Parliamentary Union among others.
Dalai Lama, who arrived in the state today, will attend the inaugural session tomorrow along with a host of leaders from India and abroad.
The vision of NWP is to enable and encourage social, political and economic empowerment of women in all strata of the society and one of its objectives is to generate new ideas, theories and ideologies for women empowerment, AP Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said.
As many as 91 women parliamentarians, 401 women legislators, 300 social and corporate sector women leaders from India and abroad are expected to attend the NWP, while over 10,000 “socially and politically sensitive” girl students will be networked with the leaders.
“The conclave will be a common platform for women from diverse backgrounds like politics, arts and culture, sports, education, industry, media, cinema, judiciary and social sector to share their knowledge and research in the area of women’s social, economic and political empowerment,” he said.
The NWP would facilitate interaction among women from all backgrounds and girl students to sensitise the society on issues like malnutrition, social security, sexual harassment, sanitation, oppression and other gender-based problems.
“One of the objectives of NWP is to make young girls realise their potential and make them aware of the canvas where they can leave their footprints. Our endeavour is to enhance the network between eminent women and girl students to enable them to take leadership roles,” Kodela added.
Governor E S L Narasimhan, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi, noted Gandhian Ela Bhatt, veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar, actresses Juhi Chawla and Manisha Koirala, tennis star Sania Mirza, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and a host of other luminaries will attend the event. (PTI)
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