“Empowerment of women should start right at home,” was the bottomline message of the speakers at the second day deliberations at the National Women’s Parliament (NWP) being organised at Pavitra Sangamam near here on Saturday.
The discussions revolved around the challenges faced by women. Apart from it, the brighter side of the issue was also highlighted with speakers pouring out their experiences.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan said: “The brighter side is that women with limited resources, no political education and social support have overcome the challenges while taking part in public and political spheres.” The women had fought and raised voices to claim their basic human rights for decades, and now the participants of this convention also had a role to play in eliminating discrimination against women and overcoming barriers to their political participation, he said.
Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini opined that women empowerment should start right from the family. Parents should encourage their children and instil self-confidence among them to achieve their goals. “I could achieve the goals set because of the encouragement I got from my parents. My father relocated to Hyderabad after his retirement only to support me when I started my career.”
“The girls and women should remember that the challenges and difficulties would always be there. I too struggled in the initial days of my career. But that did not deter me. I was never disheartened though I studied in government schools,” she said. Heritage Foods Executive Director Nara Brahmani said she had got all support and encouragement from her family in chasing the goals set. She also narrated how “Annagaru” (TDP founder president N.T. Rama Rao, her grandfather) was instrumental in achieving the women empowerment in Andhra Pradesh. The path to empowerment of women, including reservations, was laid by Annagaru and continued by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Nowhere in the country were self-help groups (SHGs) as strong as in Andhra Pradesh. It was all due to the Chief Minister, she said.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y. Sujana Chowdary said double standards were still seen while bringing up girl children. A woman would prefer a son to a girl, he pointed out.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said technology had brought equality between men and women. But still there was long journey to go. The women had to march ahead with confidence, he said.
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Chairman A. Chakrapani, Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao, UPSC former chairperson Alka Sirohi, Times of India Consulting Editor Sagarika Ghose and others spoke.
