International Women’s Day: Women get raw deal: APCC president

Says empowerment of women vital for growth

Vijayawada: The City Congress Committee felicitated eminent women from all walks of life as part of International Women’s Day celebrations at Andhra Ratna Bhavan here on Sunday.

Participating in the Women’s Day celebrations as a chief guest, Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president N Raghuveera Reddy emphasised the need for women’s empowerment for the development of nation. Though women constituted half of the country’s population, they were meted out a raw deal in the male-dominated society. Education was essential for women in the modern era to become self-reliant and face challenges in life boldly.

Women politicians, irrespective of their party affiliations, should strive to end gender discrimination, he said.

Expressing his concern over increase in atrocities against women in the country even after the enactment of Nirbhaya Act, the APCC chief stressed the need for effective enforcement of the laws to ensure women’s safety. The Congress was committed to welfare of women and their empowerment.

During the previous Congress regime, interest-free loans worth Rs 18,000 crore were provided to Self-Help Group (SHG) women in the undivided Andhra Pradesh for their empowerment, he reminded.

MLC Ch Ganga Bhavani demanded that the BJP-led NDA Government to focus on passage of the women’s reservation bill. Empowerment of women could not be achieved without providing them 33 per cent reservation in legislatures, she said.

Later, the APCC president felicitated eminent women from various fields.

APCC vice-president Devineni Rajasekhar (Nehru), DCC president Kadiyala Butchi Babu, City Congress president Malladi Vishnu, Youth Congress president Devineni Avinash, APCC Minority Cell president Saleem Parwez, Congress leaders Naraharisetti Narasimha Rao, Akula Srinivas Kumar, Kolanukonda Sivaji, Meesala Rajeswara Rao, MLC Chengal Rayudu and others were present.