A Dossier on Visakhapatnam
The two-day Government of India - United Nations Women Programme on 'Promoting Women's Political Leadership and Governance in India and South Asia' begins. Union Minister for Panchayat Raj and Tribal Affairs V Kishore Chandra Deo presides over as the Chief Guest.
Visakha City, September 29, 2011
The two-day Government of India - United Nations Women Programme on 'Promoting Women's Political Leadership and Governance in India and South Asia' began at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel. Union Minister for Panchayat Raj and Tribal Affairs V Kishore Chandra Deo presided over as the Chief Guest.
Speaking on the occasion, the Kishore Chandra Deo said that the objective of the programme was to address issues which concern elected women representatives and all women members of Gram Sabhas. He spoke highly of the Panchayati Raj System within the federal structure and said that it was one of the most effective institutions for decentralizing governance mechanisms. He added that the neighboring countries like Afghanistan were keen to implement the Panchayati Raj System in their country.
The Union Minister said that issues concerning gender equality like livelihood, housing, health etc. could be taken up by gram sabhas, while sensitive issues like trafficking in women, conflict, violence and sexual harassment can be taken up by Palle Sabha, Mahila Sabha and ward level sabhas.
Minister for Tribal Welfare P Balaraju said that women need to be prepared as they were bound to become the future leaders with 33 per cent reservation for them in the country. Director for the Regional Programme of UN Women South Asia Regional Office Anne F Stenhammer spoke about strategies being implemented to develop women's empowerment and gender equality.
Charge d'Affaires and Minister Counsellor of Royal Norwegian Embassy, Delhi, Asiak Brun, Additional Secretary in the Minister of Panchayat Raj Hrushikesh Panda, Principal Secretary in Department of Panchayat Raj, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Rajeev Sharma, District Collector Lav Agarwal spoke on the occasion.
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