Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Wednesday that his Government would constitute Shaurya Dals in every village and city ward to give more power to the women. Chouhan stated this while addressing a State-level convention of Shaurya Dals at his residence here on Wednesday.
Woman and Child Development Minister Maya Singh and Higher Education Minister Uma Shankar Gupta were also present on the occasion. At the convention, an MoU was signed between Madhya Pradesh Government and UN Woman.
The Chief Minister said that for their empowerment, women need to be empowered economically, politically and socially. Effective initiative in this direction had been taken in Madhya Pradesh.
The Chief Minister also appealed to strengthen women’s self-help groups and said that united efforts were needed to save girls from discrimination. Chouhan also urged people to change their mindset who indulged in discrimination. Respect to women is our cultural tradition, he added. State Government has implemented schemes like Beti Bachao Abhiyan, ladli laxmi Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana. Women are being given 50 per cent reservation in local bodies and appointment of teachers. Shaurya Dals should create awareness about women’s rights, de-addict villages and awaken women towards their welfare schemes, said the Chief Minister and urged people to cooperate to ensure prosperity and development of Madhya Pradesh.
Woman and Child Development Minister Maya Singh said that Shaurya Dals have been constituted in six districts of the State. The teams have done commendable work to stop discrimination against women. Now, these teams were being constituted in entire State. Violence against women can be overcome by changing people’s mindset towards them, the Minister 2added.
Rebecca Richman of UN Woman said that significant work had been done in Madhya Pradesh for women’s empowerment. Election of 15 lakh women in Panchayats was a major achievements including implementation of successful programmes like ladli laxmi Yojana, Gaon Ki Beti Yojana and Beti Bachao Abhiyan. Madhya Pradesh is the first State to pass gender budget.
Now, UN Woman will cooperate with Madhya Pradesh government in this regard. International Federation for Agriculture Development’s Country Coordinator Meera Mishra said that Shaura Dals are doing better work for changing people’s mindset. UNDP’s Deputy Country Director Alexandra Soloviva said that Grameen Haat programme of Madhya Pradesh has won UN’s Public Service Award last year.
Vincent Derlong of International Federation for Agriculture Development also spoke on the occasion. Principal Secretary Woman and Child Development BR Naidu informed about CM’s Community leadership Development Programme and Commissioner Woman and Child Development Kalpana Shrivastava about constitution of Shaurya Dals.
The Chief Minister released training guidebook of Shaurya Dals. He felicitated members of Shaurya teams for commendable work. A short film focusing on Shaurya Dal was screened at the programme. Artistes of Bal Bhavan presented mini dance drama on role of Shaurya Dals. State Child Rights Protection Commission Chairperson Usha Chaturvedi, MlA Vishwas Sarang, Director Women’s Empowerment Neelam Shami Rao and members of Shaurya Dals were present on the occasion. Director of Tejaswini Programme proposed a vote of thanks.