News
|
||||
Miss
World launches women's empowerment programme
It certainly was a 'Dream Conference with a Difference' as the 19-year-old beauty, wearing her radiant smile, stepped onto the stage before taking her walk to wave at the large audience at the BMICH. "For many women, each day is a struggle to survive and basic education is a luxury they cannot afford," she began, adding that in many countries, women were powerless in the control of their own lives, hence the need for their empowerment. Under the theme 'Skilled Women are Empowered Women', the project is an initiative of the Rotary District Conference Committee, and looks to economically empower women to serve their communities and the nation. According to Past President Chamila Wickramasinghe, District Chairperson for Women's Empowerment, it was felt to be an ideal issue to focus on and launch along with the official visit of Miss World. The objectives of the Women's Empowerment Programme include the establishment of skills development centres for women as well as the development of suitable curricula for various skills that facilitate economic empowerment of women. Launched with the generous sponsorship of Mobitel, the project will focus on vocational training centres for women in locations throughout the country, where they will be trained in various vocations that have an immediate demand in the corporate sector, e.g.call centres, the garment industry and jewellery manufacture. It will also assist those who are interested in setting up home-based small business through the provision of micro credit. Chief guest Past District Governor Siddhartha S. Bose said the presence of Miss World signifies the international character of Rotary and the importance it places on women and children. Launching the project Miss World said that very often discrimination denies women their rights and it was important to educate them to bring up healthy families so that the entire community would benefit. She also stressed on the importance of focusing on issues such as reproductive health of women, the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and the spread of HIV/AIDS, as well as narrowing the gender gap. Miss World was also conferred the Paul Harris fellowship, a distinct honour among Rotarians. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
