Reaffirming the State government’s commitment to women empowerment, Priyank Kharge, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister, said that efforts are being consistently made to integrate women into the mainstream of society by ensuring equal opportunities, participation, and access to social and economic development.

Speaking at the International Women’s Day programme at S.M. Pandit Ranga Mandir auditorium in Kalaburagi city on Saturday (May 9), Mr. Kharge said the idea of gender equality is deeply rooted in India’s social and reformist traditions. Referring to the teachings of 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara, he stated that through the Anubhava Mantapa, women were given equal space and opportunities much before modern movements for equality.

He said that despite early reformist movements aimed at gender equality, women have continued to face deep-rooted structural inequalities over the centuries. Even today, the struggle for true equality persists in many forms across society, he observed. In this context, he credited the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for laying a strong foundation of equal rights, including the right to employment and equal pay for women.

Highlighting government initiatives, Mr. Kharge said welfare schemes such as the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme and the Shakti Scheme have been specifically designed to strengthen women’s economic independence and improve their mobility. He said these programmes reflect a sustained and focused effort to bring women into the social and economic mainstream.

The Minister also emphasised on the critical role of anganwadi workers, describing them as the foundation of early childhood development. He said anganwadi centres play a key role in shaping children’s futures.

He added that 313 child marriages have been successfully prevented in the district, crediting the sustained vigilance and commitment of field-level workers, along with the coordinated efforts of the Social Welfare Department and the District Child Protection Unit, in safeguarding children’s rights.

During the event, appointment orders were distributed to 1,036 newly appointed anganwadi workers and helpers in the district. Several anganwadi workers were felicitated for their dedicated service and for ensuring effective last-mile delivery of various welfare schemes, reaching intended beneficiaries at the grassroots level.

Allamprabhu Patil, MLA, MLCs Thippannappa Kamaknoor and Jagdev Guttedar, Mayor Varsha Jane, Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Bhanwar Singh Meena, City Corporation Commissioner Avinash Shinde, City Police Commissioner S.D. Sharanappa, Superintendent of Police Addur Srinivasalu, Deputy Conservator of Forests Sumit Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shalu, and Women and Child Development Department Deputy Director Rajkumar Rathod were present.