FICCI FLO and Smriti Irani discuss Economic Empowerment for Women in their Mumbai Chapter

Union Textile Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani addressing the interactive Session organized by FICCI in Mumbai on October 11, 2018 - Photo By Sachin Murdeshwar GPN
Smt. Smriti Irani Minister of Textiles at the FICCI FLO the women business wing event in Mumbai - Photo By Sachin Murdeshwar GPN

Smt. Smriti Z. Irani Minister of Textiles at the FICCI FLO the women business wing event in Mumbai – Photo By Sachin Murdeshwar GPN.

Smt. Smriti Irani Minister of Textiles at the FICCI FLO the women business wing addressing in Mumbai - Photo By Sachin Murdeshwar / GPN

Smt. Smriti Z. Irani Minister of Textiles at the FICCI FLO the women business wing addressing in Mumbai – Photo By Sachin Murdeshwar / GPN

Union Textile Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani addressing the interactive Session organized by FICCI in Mumbai on October 11, 2018. All Photos By Sachin Murdeshwar GPN

Union Textile Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani addressing the interactive Session organized by FICCI in Mumbai on October 11, 2018. All Photos By Sachin Murdeshwar GPN

MUMBAI, 11 October, 2018 (GPN) : FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the women business wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) , Mumbai, today conducted a session with  Smt Smriti Irani, Minister of Textiles, moderated by Shefali Vasudeva, Editor, The Voice of Fashion, a digital magazine on fashion and design published by IMG-Reliance. In this face to face rendezvous, the textile minister shared her personal experience describing her journey from television to Parliament. This was followed by a discussion on the handloom industry and the potential it offers for women employment. Lastly, the gathering also saw a detailed deliberation on the Union Government policies for women and if women were actually benefitting from them.

On the occasion, the Chairperson of FICCI, Monica Chaturvedi, reiterated the prominence of accelerating women’s participation in the process of economic and social development in Mumbai and widen the scope for women empowerment.

Ms Monica Chaturvedi Chairperson of FICCI, said, “FLO (FICCI Ladies Organisation) is a facilitator for economic and social empowerment of women. Our Skilling programme focuses on employability of women while Swayam is a platform that helps women entrepreneurs to set up and scale up business. We have also initiated an education programme for young girls and their mothers on menstrual health and hygiene, this is a four month programme certified by UNICEF.

This year, our aim is to bring Government, industry, NGOs and FLO to work together to create a larger impact through our current and upcoming initiatives. We are asking for a cell to be set up for women entrepreneurs along with Ministry of Industry, Maharashtra, and with FICCI, whereby women are made aware of the schemes available for them. We are working with dynamic women from Self Help Groups under MAVIM and expanding the scope of their activities by seeking partnership from corporates. We are aware that only if government bodies, corporates, NGOs and industry bodies like ours work together we can create a larger and long lasting impact on the society and economy.”

Addressing to media persons, Chief Guest of the event, Smt Smriti Irani, Minister of Textiles applauded FICCI FLO for their commendable work towards women employability. She discussed the significance of women in the textile industry and how there are campuses and factories dedicated only to women employees. She also appealed to everyone, especially women in the unorganised sector to take advantage of the schemes introduced by the Government of India. She emphasised on women friendly policies such as Suraksha Bima Yojana where you can avail life insurance worth Rs 2lakhs by just investing 1 rupee a month for 10 years, the Pension Scheme requires an investment of Rs 330 per year for a cover of 2 lakhs,  while the Ayushman Bharatscheme provides protection from 1300 diseases.  Ms Irani also called out the success of Mudra Yojna,where 70-80% loans have gone to women and whenever the Govt lends to women, 99% of women pay back.

FLO headquartered in New Delhi, has 15 chapters set-up across India, representing over 6000 women entrepreneurs and professionals.  FICCI FLO’s Mumbai Chapter focused on finding solutions to further economic empowerment and equal opportunity for women.

About FICCI FLO is the women’s wing of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is one of the oldest and largest women’s business associations in South East Asia. In India, it has 15 chapters across the country with member strength of over 5500.

India is witnessing interesting times with changes in political, economic and social structures on the horizon. As women play increasingly important roles to take the country forward amidst this shift, FLO is best positioned to play a catalyst’s role in bringing about a positive impact.

FLO’s purpose for this year is to lead women into believing and recognizing their strengths, their unquestionable power and capability. A myriad of facilitating, wondrous events which 2018-19 has in store are undoubtedly going to help us move further towards our goal of empowering women.

For further information, please contact:

Monica Chaturvedi| FICCI FLO| [email protected]

About the Author

Sachin Murdeshwar
Sachin Murdeshwar is a Sr.Journalist and Columnist in several Mainline Newspapers and Portals.He is an ardent traveller and likes to explore destinations to the core.