The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly will be teaming up with the State government to organise a three-day ‘National Women’s Parliament’ (NWP) at capital Amaravati from February 10. In this regard, an awareness rally on women empowerment was taken out from Sri Padmavathi Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV) here on Saturday to spread the message about the prestigious event.
The awareness rally (2K Run) led by Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, Ministers Palle Raghunatha Reddy (I and PR), Peethala Sujatha (Women Empowerment) and others, traversed through the important junctions of the city, before concluding at the varsity premises. About 5,000 girl students and faculty from neighbouring colleges took part in the programme, holding placards and raising slogans on women empowerment.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Sivaprasada Rao maintained that the event would act as a politically neutral platform for women from diverse backgrounds and fields to share their experiences, knowledge and research in areas of social, economic and political empowerment of women in all strata. “The event will not only establish a connect between women from diverse backgrounds (such as politics, education, sports, industry, media, cinema, arts and culture, judiciary, students) but also enable them to hold deliberations, debates and mentoring for evolving reciprocal and continuing engagement on all women-centric issues and challenges,” he added.
Live-streaming to colleges
Dr. Sivaprasada Rao further said that the event would be live-streamed to more than 300 colleges across the State with the facility of interacting with the participants and will also have cultural programmes, Krishna Pushkara Harathi and other attractions. He said he was happy for participating in the rally at the SPMVV as the women’s varsity was one of the proactive measures for women empowerment taken by former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao.
Stressing the need for progress and development of women in every field, by surpassing all the barriers, Ms. Sujatha opined that the NWP would instil confidence among young women.
Songs released
Mr. Raghunatha Reddy said such events (NWP) would encourage women and enable them to prosper, resulting in women empowerment and nation building. Women delegates from the country and also abroad would be participating in the programme, he added.
Later, a CD containing two songs related to the programme, sung by playback singers K.S. Chitra and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, was released.
Vice-Chancellors V. Durga Bhavani (SPMVV), A. Damodaram (Sri Venkateswara University), legislators M. Suguna (Tirupati), D.A. Sathyaprabha (Chittoor) and others took part.
