KOCHI: The Kerala Government is all set to roll out an array of women-oriented schemes and initiatives.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced this on Saturday while speaking at The New Indian Express-organised ‘Devi Awards’ here. “This government is committed to the welfare and safety of the women. We are preparing various schemes and plans for them in coming days,” the CM said. Pinarayi also distributed the ‘Devi Awards’ to 10 women, who had excelled in their respective fields and for the overall contribution to society.
“The participation of women in the state’s labour force is at present only 15 per cent. It needs to go up. We are planning to devise projects through which women can ensure their active participation. My only request to them is to come forward and take maximum use of the schemes, instead of keeping themselves indoors,” he said.
Pinarayi also said the government would take steps to ensure various welfare funds allotted for women were channeled to them directly. “We will ensure that there will not be any leakage of the funds meant for women. The government is also coming up with more and more schemes for women as well as children,” he said. The CM said the state government was also equally concerned about the welfare of transgenders. “They should also be considered equally and we should provide them equal opportunities,” he said.
The LDF Govt is setting up a separate department for the women’s welfare. “It’s not a mere announcement. We already have allocated funds for the department in our first budget,” Pinarayi said.