Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today emphasized that Women-led development, anchored in the empowerment of women and the welfare of children, is the foundation of India’s vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Inaugurating the first-ever National Conference of the Committees on Empowerment of Women of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures in Tirupati today, Shri Birla said that India will become an inclusive and developed nation only when our daughters become educated & self-reliant. The conference was attended by representatives from more than 20 states.

The two-day Conference is being held on the theme “Women-led Development for Viksit Bharat”, with a special focus on “Gender Responsive Budgeting” and “Empowering Women to Face Challenges of Emerging Technologies”. The deliberations will centre on strengthening women’s leadership, enhancing participation in governance, ensuring inclusive policies, and advancing the vision of an India where women are not only beneficiaries but also principal architects of national development.

Shri Birla noted that first-ever National Conference of Committees on Empowerment of Women represented a landmark moment in India’s democratic journey. Such conferences, he said, play crucial role in exchange of thoughts and experiences, paving way for inclusive policy making. It has brought together lawmakers, policymakers, and women leaders from across the country to collectively chart strategies for women’s leadership, equality, and inclusion in every sphere of life.

Shri Birla highlighted that Tirupati Conference sends a clear and powerful message that women’s empowerment and child welfare are not peripheral issues but the very foundation of national progress. With its focus on women’s leadership from Panchayats to Parliament, on inclusive laws and policies, and on economic independence for every woman, the Conference marks a decisive step in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, he said.

The Speaker stressed that women’s empowerment is not a one-time initiative but a continuous process requiring comprehensive policies that address the needs of women at every stage of life. He stressed the need to ensure women’s participation from Panchayats to Parliament, stating that increasing the presence of women in policy-making and law-making institutions will help address the challenges and barriers that women have historically faced. As India enters the Amrit Kaal, Nari Shakti is emerging as an unstoppable force leading the nation towards strength and inclusivity, Shri Birla stressed.

The strength, leadership, and participation of women across every sphere of national life are not only matters of equity but also the bedrock of inclusive and sustainable growth, he said. As India advances rapidly in education, science, governance, technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation, the role and secure future of women will determine the pace and character of national progress, he further said.

 Shri Birla recalled the contribution of women freedom fighters whose sacrifice and dedication laid the foundation for a more equal and inclusive society. These courageous women broke barriers, challenged stereotypes, and emerged as leaders, strategists, and change-makers. Their legacy proved that the struggle for independence was not only political but also a fight for justice and equality. Their work in areas such as education, health, community development, and women’s rights ensured that the principles of equality and justice remained alive in independent India.

In the Constituent Assembly too, 15 women members were part of the constitution-making process, and their vision and perspectives ensured that India’s Constitution is gender-neutral, laying a strong foundation for equal rights and opportunities for women, Lok Sabha Speaker noted. He emphasized that the freedoms and equalities enshrined in the Constitution are the result of this active participation of women.

 Highlighting women’s leadership, Shri Birla observed that from ancient scholars such as Gargi and Anusuya, to valiant leaders like Rani Rudrama Devi and Rani Lakshmibai, women have shaped India’s history through courage, wisdom, and sacrifice. Today, Indian women are excelling in every field—from space exploration to science and technology, from sports to literature, and from local governance to national leadership, he said. India has had women Presidents, Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, Governors, Speakers, and legislators, which is a matter of great pride and a reflection of the nation’s commitment to women’s leadership, Shri Birla observed.

 In this context, Shri Birla described the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a historic constitutional reform giving institutional shape to this transformation. He recalled with pride that it was the first Bill passed in the new Parliament building, ensuring reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. This landmark law goes beyond symbolism, securing women their rightful place in governance and preparing a new generation of women leaders to shape the nation’s future.

 He also noted that Committees on Empowerment of Women at both national and State levels, function in a non-partisan manner and play a critical role in closely scrutinizing laws, policies, and schemes to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness. Their recommendations, he said, must ensure that even the last woman and the last child in the remotest corners of the country have access to health, education, technology, and opportunities for growth.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s vision, Shri Birla said that ensuring every woman’s economic independence is central to achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. He added that there is no sector today where women are not contributing as leaders, innovators, guardians, and entrepreneurs. From grassroots representatives in village panchayats and urban local bodies to women heading institutions of science, technology, and governance, India is witnessing the rise of women as change-makers and nation-builders.

 The inaugural session was graced by Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh; Chairperson, Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women, Smt. D. Purandeswari; Speaker, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Shri C. Ayyannapatrudu; and Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, Shri Koyye Moshenu Raju; Ministers of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Members of the Legislative Assembly and Council and Chairpersons and Members of Committees on Empowerment of Women from Parliament and State/UT Legislatures were also present.

 Before the beginning of the conference Lok Sabah Speaker offered prayers at Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple in Tirumala. The Speaker noted that Tirupati, a sacred land long associated with devotion, sacrifice, and women’s contribution, is a befitting venue to reaffirm the national resolve to place women and children at the heart of India’s development journey.

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