Over 5,000 rural women delegates from different parts of the country, on Sunday assembled in a first-of-its-kind mammoth exercise in Odisha to draw a roadmap for their empowerment.

The National Meet on Rural Women Empowerment sponsored by women’s organisation OYSS Women at open-air ground at Tarpi village under Chilika block was inaugurated by Chairperson of National Commission for Women Mamta Sharma.

Presided over by National Head of Honour for Women National Campaign Manasi Pradhan, the meet was held as part of the Nirbhaya Fortnight being observed by the movement across the country from June 16 to 29.

Mamta Sharma said the National Commission for Women is committed to bring about a qualitative change in the life of women in the country. In line with its commitment, it is giving greater stress to empowerment of women than ever before.

lauding the effort of the OYSS Women in fighting for the rights of women, the NCW chief said that such movements are necessary for heralding a new chapter in women’s movement in the country.

Manasi Pradhan said it is important that the movement is taken to its logical conclusion with real empowerment of women all over the country. No plan for development is complete without women’s voice, she told the delegates.

Most women delegates were of the opinion that their complete lack of awareness about their own rights and different Government schemes is one of the biggest impediments in their empowerment. And hence, there should be a mechanism to systematically create awareness among them.

After long sessions of deliberations, a draft proposal was drawn up at the meet taking into account various concerns and suggestions put forward by the delegates.