Lucknow: Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh participated as the Chief Guest in a multi-stakeholder conference on ‘Fostering Women Inclusive Growth in UP: Key Imperatives and Progress’ organized in Lucknow in collaboration with Udayati Foundation (TUF) and Planning Department of Uttar Pradesh.
In his address, the Chief Secretary said that the Uttar Pradesh government is committed to increasing the female labor force participation rate. He considers it to be the pillar of UP’s economic growth. Bank Sakhi Yojana is an important initiative to increase women’s participation in areas like financial management as well. Through this initiative, Bank Sakhis have earned Rs 70 crore as commission.
He said that connecting women in sectors like agriculture, service sector and fast growing industries in the state will utilize their full potential, which will lead the state’s economy towards $ 1 trillion and ensure overall development. By investing in education and infrastructure, we can support women’s contribution and promote a more inclusive and prosperous society.
He said that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, radical changes are taking place in Uttar Pradesh. To strengthen the economic condition of the state, Uttar Pradesh became the first state to aim to achieve an economy of one trillion dollars from about $ 250 billion. Looking at Uttar Pradesh, many states wrote concept notes and strategy papers on one trillion dollars. Uttar Pradesh’s per capita income is half that of the country.
He said that the GDP of Uttar Pradesh is around Rs 25 lakh crore. Land, climate and water resources make UP a powerhouse. Uttar Pradesh is a powerhouse in the agriculture sector. Farming is done in 75 percent of the areas in UP. The most important input of farming is irrigation. If every single field is irrigated, then every family can be taken out of poverty.
Principal Secretary Planning Alok Kumar said that the data presented in the Landscape Study Report is an important roadmap for future action. The establishment of a Steering Committee on Women Economic Empowerment and the launch of a Women Economic Empowerment Index (WEEI) will be crucial in tracking progress and ensuring accountability. By setting clear benchmarks and promoting a culture of continuous improvement, we can make substantial progress in women’s economic participation and empowerment.
The event also laid the foundation of Mission U.N.N.A.T.I. (Uttar Pradesh Nari – Nayi Aakanksha, Tarakki aur Ichheyen), which reflects the commitment of the Uttar Pradesh government to address life-cycle issues affecting women and promote equal participation of women in nation building in line with the vision of a $1 trillion economy of Uttar Pradesh. This was further supported by a comprehensive study titled “Advancing Women’s Economic Empowerment in Uttar Pradesh”.
On this occasion, Chief Minister’s Advisor Avanish Kumar Awasthi, Principal Secretary Labor Anil Kumar, Director-Health, India Country Office, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Alkesh Wadhwani, Founder and CEO, The Convergence Foundation Ashish Dhawan, CEO of Udayati Foundation Pooja Sharma and other senior officials were present as special guests.
