Telangana to Launch Week-Long Women’s Empowerment Drive Across 4,000 Villages

In a major push towards women’s empowerment and rural economic development , the Telangana government will organise statewide “Mahila Varotsavalu” (Women’s Celebrations) from May 25 to 31 under its flagship “Praja Palana – Pragati Pranalika” initiative. The week-long programme is expected to feature large-scale awareness campaigns, community events, and women-centric development activities across thousands of villages.

Chairing a high-level review meeting in Hyderabad, Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Women & Child Welfare Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka directed officials to ensure that the celebrations reflect the government’s broader vision of strengthening women socially, financially, and politically. She said the programmes should highlight the achievements of women across sectors while also creating awareness about welfare schemes and livelihood opportunities being implemented by the state government.

As part of the initiative, officials have been instructed to prepare a special day-wise schedule showcasing women achievers in fields such as agriculture, education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, governance, and social service. The minister emphasised that the celebrations should not remain symbolic events but evolve into a grassroots movement encouraging women’s participation in economic and community development.

One of the key components of the programme will be the proposed launch of women’s community buildings in nearly 4,000 villages across Telangana. These centres are expected to serve as spaces for meetings, training programmes, self-help group activities, and skill development initiatives aimed at improving women’s financial independence.

The government also plans to extensively promote the success stories of Self-Help Group (SHG) women members , many of whom have transformed their livelihoods through collective enterprises and rural business models. Officials were asked to organise special events showcasing how women’s groups have contributed to income generation, employment creation, leadership development, and social change in villages.

Reviewing the progress of the ambitious “Indira Mahila Shakti” programme, Minister Seethakka directed departments to accelerate women-led initiatives in sectors such as solar power generation, agriculture, dairy, food processing, and non-farm enterprises . She said the government’s aim is to create more women entrepreneurs and business leaders , rather than limiting women to traditional employment opportunities.

Senior officials, including Danakishore, Divya Devarajan, Anita Ramachandran, and Shruti Oza, attended the review meeting and discussed implementation plans for the statewide celebrations.