Advisor to the governor P K H Tharakan said the celebrations will begin with ‘walk for women’ on Saturday morning. The walk would begin from Vidhana Soudha and conclude at Mahatma Gandhi statue.  Women doctors, lawyers, teachers, professors and those part of NGOs will take part in the walk.

He said the inaugural function will be held at Bal Bhavan. Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court Cyriac Joseph will be the chief guest. An exhibition-cum-sale of products of SHGs and other entrepreneurs will be inaugurated.

The exhibition consists 300 stalls and will be opened till March 13.

Mr Tharakan will lay the foundation stone for the construction of Mahila Bhavan, a Resource and Research Centre, which will provide a platform for the sale of products of SHGs throughout the year. The bhavan is coming up at Lakkasandra on Bannerghatta Road.

Cricket match

Department of Women and Child Development is conducting competitions for women as part of the celebrations.
One day cricket match among women cricket teams will be held at Chinnaswamy stadium in association with the Karnataka State Cricket Association on March 10.

Sports meet

Department of Youth Services and Sports will conduct women sports meet at Kanteerava stadium on March 12 and 13. The meet comprises of 11 athletic events and six group events - volley ball, basket ball, kabaddi, hockey and wrestling. Winners of the sports meet will be given cash prize.

Seminars

The State government is also holding seminars on various issues including women’s health issues, entrepreneurial skill, domestic violence, female foeticide and sexual harassment at work place, legal rights for women at Bal Bhavan as part of the celebrations.

E-MAHILE

The State government will formally inaugurate E-Mahile programme during the International Women’s Day celebrations. The programme aims at encouraging rural unemployed educated women to earn their livelihood.

Shalini Rajineesh, secretary, Women and Child Development Department, said that the department will be implementing the project on pilot basis in 10 districts - Chitradurga, Haveri, Bijapur, Davangere, Dharwad, Belgaum, Ramanagar, Hassan, Bangalore Urban and Bangalore Rural.

Educated among members of Stree Shakti (SHGs) will be selected for training on basic computer knowledge.
The beneficiary will set up a kiosk consisting laptop computer, digital camera, UPS, LCD projector and many other necessary gadgets. Through the kiosk, villagers can get information on prices of agriculture produce in near-by markets, can book travel tickets, get details of health facilities available.  Also, those who become members of the kiosk by paying Rs 90 per annum will enjoy health insurance up to Rs 1 lakh a year.

She said 300 kiosks will start functioning from April 1. Beneficiaries will also get a bank loan to set up the kiosk. They will also be given a subsidy of  Rs 50,000 under Swa Rojgar Yojna, she added.