State govt proposes to procure goods manufactured by women entrepreneurs
SHILLONG: The State government will initiate a new policy to procure goods manufactured by women entrepreneurs shortly.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma announced this while speaking at the North East Chief Minister’s Conclave on Economic Empowerment of Women organized by FICCI Ladies’ Organization (FLO) in Guwahati on Saturday
The Chief Minister said that there was a need to create access to livelihood for women in their own backyards and also informed the gathering about taking up of the new policy in the State;” preferential purchase policy” for the products of women entrepreneurs.
The Chief Minister referred to certain miserable situations confronted by women who go out to urban areas in search of opportunities and stressed on the need to create livelihood initiatives in rural areas
Stating that sustainable livelihood for women must be linked with developing entrepreneurship, the Chief Minister informed the gathering about women’s empowerment through financial inclusion, a programme which was started by the state government for bringing socio-economic transformation through partners.
Sangma said that weaving which is a traditional strength of the region should be exploited to the minimum and added that the region offers the largest catchment area of skilled workforce in weaving.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that the yardstick of development depends on how empowered the women are and added that true empowerment is that of rural women.
Both the Chief Ministers replied to questions put forward by FLO members from across the country during the conclave.
The Chairman, FICCI, NE Advisory Council, Ranjit Borthakur congratulated FLO for showing the way not only for women’s empowerment but also for women’s achievement. Saying that women were more tolerant than men, he urged upon them to also lead the way in tolerance.
Earlier, the National President of FLO, Archana Gupta highlighted the activities and initiatives of the organization, which she said was committed to the cause of empowerment of women.
FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) is the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI). An all India forum for women, FLO has headquarters in New Delhi and 13 chapters set up across India, representing over 3800 women entrepreneurs and professionals. With over 32 years of experience, FLO has been promoting entrepreneurship and professional excellence in women through various workshops, seminars, conferences, talks, training and capacity building programmes among others.