Pachhad MLA advocates women’s empowerment at Tirupati conference

The country’s first national conference of parliamentary committees on women empowerment was hosted at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, where Himachal Pradesh was represented by Pachhad MLA Reena Kashyap.

Kashyap began her address with the poetic lines “Yeh oonche Himalaya ka rangeen aanchal, yeh mera Himachal, yeh mera Himachal”, capturing the cultural essence of her home state. She highlighted the transformative role of Central government schemes in strengthening women’s participation in society, with particular emphasis on the “Lakhpati Didi Yojana,” which she described as a milestone in rural women’s economic independence.

Drawing attention to grassroots initiatives in her constituency, Kashyap spoke at length about the country’s first She Haat set up in Pachhad. She explained how women there are actively engaged in diverse enterprises, enabling them to become self-reliant and confident contributors to the local economy.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she welcomed the decision to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Kashyap pointed out that Himachal Pradesh currently has only three women legislators, but once the reservation comes into effect, the number is expected to rise to 24, significantly reshaping the state’s political landscape.

She also shared her experiences from visits to rural areas, noting how women have increasingly taken charge of organising events and even managing public platforms in villages. Such examples, she said, reflect the growing strength and leadership of women across communities.