New Delhi, 22 SEPTEMBER, 2022 (GPN): Ms Smriti Irani, the Hon’ble Minister of Women & Child
Development and Minister of Minority Affairs, Government of India stressed the need for women o become more self-aware at the Public Affairs Forum of India’s 9th annual Forum
2022. She mentioned that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, 33 crore households that were deprived of basic sanitary facilities including toilets have now been covered.

The Hon’ble Minister further informed that the poor sanitary infrastructure in India put a 6 per cent burden on GDP that can be done away with by maintaining proper hygiene and
cleanliness. It’s under the able leadership of Mr Narendra Modi that the sanitary napkin, which was once considered a luxury item, is now available at only one rupee cost making it available to every section of society.
The Minister said that the main problem in India is that we look at gender equality differently. If we really want to change the condition, we’ll have to change our outlook.
We’ll have to break the barriers of past assumptions. We’ll have to develop a progressive outlook. Today women are taking the front seat at village panchayats. According to World
Economic Forum (WEF), our country stands at 48th place in Women Empowerment Index (WEI).

Giving insights into the schemes of the Government for women Ms Smriti Irani said that under the government’s Awas Yojana, 2 crore houses have been allotted to women candidates. She further informed that out of 4 Crore people trained in IT under DISHA
Scheme, 58 per cent were women candidates.

Talking about the security of girls and women, Ms Smriti Irani said that the government has set up one-stop centers in 700+ districts for which there is a need to increase awareness. Around 7 crore self-help groups have been enabled with an investment of INR 480 Crores.

Finally, she stressed the need for technology as a great enabler. She said that women should not wait for others’ support to enable them but should enable themselves with the technology in their hands.

The event was moderated by the Mr Navika Kumar, Group Editor, Times Network, Editor- In-Chief, Times Now Navbharat and welcome speech was given by Ms Shweta Rajpal Kohli,
Managing Committee Member, PAFI.
Mr Ajay Khanna, Co-Founder & Forum Chairman, PAFI gave the vote of thanks.Ends