Naveen Seeks UN Body’s Support To Improve Employability Of Odisha Women

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday sought the support of the Second Chance Education Programme of UN Women to help women of the state, who have not completed their education, improve their employability.

The chief minister raised the issue during a meeting with the country representative of UN Women Susan Jane Ferguson when the latter called on him and discussed a range of issues concerning women empowerment in the state.

Naveen said the UN programme can help the women, who have not been able to complete their education, with re-skilling and up-skilling support to make them employable in the job market.

He added that participation of women in technical education and further employment in industries is a priority area of the state government. He cited the example of schemes like Sudakshya which has helped increase enrolment of girls in ITIs from 6%  five years ago to 18% recently.

Stating that the manufacturing industries in recent times are witnessing a kind of revolution, looking for all-women factory floors, he said the UN Women can lead the efforts for ensuring facilities like quality accommodation and creches.

The chief minister also spoke about the projects like World Skill Centre and wanted the UN Women to partner with such institutions to ensure gender parity and women participation in such projects.

Ferguson appreciated the state government’s initiatives in women empowerment. She spoke on the effective role played by the Mission Shakti in empowering women in the state.

Secretary to chief minister VK Pandian was also present during the discussion.