‘Women-led development’ and not only ‘Women empowerment’ is the new mantra:Smriti Irani

The Zonal Meeting on ‘8 Years’ Achievements – Impact on Women and Children’ was inaugurated in the city by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt Smriti Irani. The Minister for Tribal Welfare, Women and Child Welfare of Telangana, Smt Satyavati Rathod was also present in the review meeting. Beneficiaries of schemes like ‘Beti Bacho Beti Padhao’, ‘PM CARES’, “Sakhi One Stop Centres’, ‘PM Matritva Vandana Yojana’ and “Poshan Abhiyan’ in Anganwadi centres participated the meeting and shared their views.

Delivering the keynote address, the Union WCD Minister Smt Smriti Irani said that the experience sharing by the beneficiaries has shown that, policies when implemented in collaboration by the centre and state can bring about positive change in lives of women.

Sharing that about 36 One Stop Centers (OSC) had been sanctioned for Telangana, out of which 33 are already operational, she welcomed fresh proposals from the state to increase the number of OSCs, if required. Launched in 2015, the One Stop Centers scheme extends help to women facing gender-based violence in terms of medical aid, legal assistance, psychological counseling and temporary shelter. Smt. Smriti Irani appreciated the courage one such beneficiary of Sakhi OSC who shared her experience of overcoming trauma of domestic violence and now has become financially independent by running a small Kirana shop.