Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said the government is committed to promoting women’s empowerment through various schemes to encourage strong leadership among women.
He was speaking at the ‘Viksit Bharat Nari Shakti Sangam’ Rural Women Leadership Conference, organised on the occasion of International Women’s Day and the centenary year of social reformer Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy’s membership in the legislature.
The two-day conference is being held on March 8 and 9, 2026, at Uttan near Mira-Bhayander, jointly organised by Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini and the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission (MSRLM). The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Fadnavis.
Among those present at the event were Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Jaykumar Gore, Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini Vice-President Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Padma Popatrao Pawar, Executive Director of Prabodhini Abhiram Ghadyaalpati, Konkan Divisional Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryavanshi, Mira-Bhayander Municipal Commissioner Radhabinod Sharma, Additional District Collector Harishchandra Patil, Additional Chief Executive Officer Ajinkya Pawar, Sub-Divisional Officer Urmila Patil, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Gram Panchayat) Pramod Kale, and Additional Tehsildar Nilesh Gaud, among other dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said increasing women’s participation in all sectors of society is the need of the hour. He noted that women can develop strong leadership when given the right opportunities and can play a significant role in society’s progress.
3.7 million women to be empowered this year under the scheme
He added that the government is promoting women’s empowerment through various schemes. Under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme, the government has set a target to make 3.7 million women financially empowered this year.
He also noted that women in Maharashtra have achieved a leading position in the country in the industry and startup sectors.
The conference has brought together around 500 rural women from across the country who have achieved notable success in various fields. They will share their experiences and journeys in business, industry, politics and social work during the sessions.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Jaykumar Gore, while delivering the welcome address, suggested organising training camps for elected and aspiring women sarpanches of Maharashtra at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini to promote good governance.
The introductory address was delivered by Dr Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, while Padma Popatrao Pawar gave the welcome speech. The vote of thanks was delivered by Abhiram Ghadyaalpati, Executive Director of the Prabodhini.
MLC Rekha Mahajan and Mira-Bhayander Mayor Dimple Mehta were also specially present on the dais.
The conference will include several sessions focusing on rural women’s leadership development, entrepreneurship and their role in social transformation, along with inspirational stories shared by some distinguished women.
