Gujarat to celebrate Women’s Empowerment Fortnight from Aug 1-15:CM

Gandhinagar, 18 July 2014

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today called upon women volunteers to join Gujarat Government’s state-wide innovative Women’s Empowerment Fortnight from August 1 to 15, 2014 to create awareness against crime against women, domestic violence and social evils at district, city level.

Presiding over the 1st meeting of the State-level Mahila Suraksha Samiti at Mahatma Mandir here, she said the fortnight long programme includes educating and training women. She said the law and order situation in Gujarat is better than many states. She sought co-operation of all concerned for the safety and security of women, children and senior citizens in collaboration with the police. She presented certificates to women and children.

Mrs. Patel said that the government has started several women-centric programmes in the current year’s budget, such as 300 sq yards plot to women milk producer societies’ houses, assistance for milking machines.

She said the occasion should also be used to fight malnutrition, going door-to-door at anganwadis, constructing two lakh toilets in the next two years, rehabilitating women bootleggers, free addicts from drinking, hold fairs to sell rakhis prepared by members of Mahila Suraksha Samitis with the help Mahila Bal Kalyan Department, and distribute toys and dress to children at anganwadis.

Minister of State for Home Rajnibhai Patel assured the state’s commitment to provide police protection to women. Minister of State for Women and Children Welfare Vasuben Trivedi asked women to free the society from cultural pollutions. Additional Chief Secretary Home S. K. Nanda, Director-General of Police P.C. Thakur also addressed the meeting.

The meeting was attended by Minister of State Tarachand Chheda, Mahila State Committee Members, senior police officers, MLAs Vasanbha Ahir and Shaktisinh Gohil, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Murmu and District Committee Members.