Gujarat : Shakti Vandana Initiative Aims to Empower 30 Lakh Women Ahead of General Elections

Gandhinagar : In a strategic move ahead of the impending general elections, the women’s cell of the BJP in Gujarat has set its sights on engaging with approximately 30 lakh women across the state through Shakti Vandana. Collaborating with around 3 lakh self-help groups and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the party aims to enhance its connection with the female electorate, facilitating their access to women-specific welfare schemes initiated by the Modi government.

The groundwork for this outreach effort began with a Shakti Vandana workshop held at the state headquarters, ‘Shri Kamalam,’ on Thursday. Attended by women workers and office bearers, the session, presided over by BJP state chief CR Paatil, delved into various issues concerning women’s self-help groups and NGOs. The workshop served as a platform to strategize on the forthcoming outreach programs.

Vijaya Tai Rahatkar, the national general secretary and the national convenor for Shakti Vandana, emphasized the significance of reaching out to the vast network of women associated with the self-help groups in Gujarat. “We will be going out amongst the around 30 lakh women of Gujarat who are associated with self-help groups. There are around 3 lakh self-help groups in the state. This will be a part of the ‘Shakti Vandana’ program of the party,” stated Rahatkar.

The BJP’s goal is to establish direct contact with approximately 30 lakh women through the Shakti Vandana campaign in Gujarat. With an objective to increase the proportion of women voters, the party has directed the Mahila Morcha to coordinate with Block Development Officers (BDOs) in their respective areas, fostering connections with the Self Help Groups and NGOs.

The women’s groups, comprising one convenor and two co-convenors at both the district and Block (Tehsil) levels, will play a pivotal role in this outreach initiative. Dr. Shraddha Rajput, co-spokesperson for BJP Gujarat, highlighted the inclusive nature of the campaign, stating, “All the females associated with the BJP, including women from elected wings such as MPs, MLAs, local body counselors, party office bearers, and workers of the organization, will participate in the local level workshops of Shakti Vandana.”

With plans to conduct 41 district-level workshops and over 500 Block (Tehsil) level workshops, the BJP’s Shakti Vandana initiative aims to empower and mobilize women across the state, making their voices heard in the upcoming general elections.