'Self employment can empower women'

 Delivering the keynote address at a programme organised by the Federation of Karnataka State Cooperatives in association with Federation of Dakshina Kannada Milk Producers Unions and Udupi District Cooperatives Union on “Social Justice and Empowerment of Weaker Section, Youth and Women” here on Wednesday, she said that as women and men are equally responsible for the progress of the nation, attention ought to be given to women empowerment. The literacy rate, especially among rural women is very low. About half of the entire women populations in the country are unproductive. Women should be part of progressive activities. They should be a fraction of decision making section.

Education, employment opportunities and financial security are the main criterion deciding the freedom and equality to women, she added.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Director of KMF, Bangalore, K Raviraj opined that self employment will give power to women. As many as 153 associations are registered under STEP programme of Federation of Dakshina Kannada Milk Producers Union. About 32,715 women are working under the programme.

As many as 270 litres of milk are delivered by the women’s organisation to the Union. STEP programme has enabled the women in this area to be self reliant, he said.

Udupi District Cooperative Associations Assistant Manager Chandrasekhar Nayak, Udupi
District Cooperative Union President Kishen Hegde Kolakebailu and others were present.