It seems Gujarat's first woman Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is in the process to carve her niche in order to create her own identity, especially when she stepped in after her illustrious predecessor in non-other than Narendra Modi. If Modi was focusing on business and economy as his niche, the new Gujarat Chief Minister is focusing on women related issues. Even in her Government’s first Budget, the focus was on overall development of women.
As a part of this process, Patel announced to celebrate Women's Empowerment Fortnight. The Gujarat Government linked it with India's Independence Day, as the Fortnight will start from August 1 and will end on August 15 to create awareness against crime against women, domestic violence and social evils at district, city level.
Presiding over the first meeting of the State-level Mahila Suraksha Samiti at Mahatma Mandir at Gandhinagar, 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.
The Chief Minister 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. Gujarat's Minister of State for Home Rajnibhai Patel assured the State's commitment to provide police protection to women.