West Godavari Sarpanch to share Inspiring Women Empowerment Journey at UN event
Vijayawada (prajaamaravati);
Sarpanch from West Godavari district Kunuku Hemakumari, has been nominated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MOPR), Government of India (Gol), to participate in the Side Event at 57th Commission on Population and Development (CPD), United Nations Economic and Social Council in New York, USA on May 3, 2024.
The Permanent Mission of India and the MoPR, Gol, are jointly hosting the side-event in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the event will take place on May 3, 2024, at the UN Secretariat Building, USA, under the theme 'Localizing the SDGs: Women in Local Governance in India, Lead the Way'. Hemakumari would be leaving for the US on May 1, 2024 to participate in the event.
There will a panel discussion chaired by the Secretary, MoPR and co-chair by Joint Secretary MoPR with three Elected Women Representatives from the PRIs sharing their success stories and exemplary work done in their respective Panchayats towards gender equality and development.
Three States namely - Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tripura - have been selected by the MoPR to nominate one Elected Women Representative from each State to represent India at the International level. Along with Hemakumari, Ms. Supriya Das Datta, Sabhadhipati (Chairperson) of Sepahijala Zilla Parishad of Tripura and Ms. Neeru Yadav, Sarpanch Gram Panchayat Lambi Aheer of Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan have been nominated.
Hemakumari, an MTech from JNTU, Kakinada in 2022, was elected as Sarpanch of Pekeru Gram Panchayat of Iragavaram mandal in 2021. She worked as Associate Lecturer in Electronics and Communication Engineering for 5 years (2014-2019) at Sri Mullapudi Venkataraya Memorial Polytechnic (SMVMP) College, Tanuku. She is also currently the president of the Mandal Sarpanch chamber and General Secretary of Zilla Sarpanch Chamber.
Work of Hemakumari:
Hema Kumari's selection to represent her community at this global forum comes as recognition of her outstanding efforts and achievements in women empowerment since assuming office in April 2021. Through her visionary leadership, Pekeru Grama Panchayat has emerged as a shining example of grassroots initiatives driving sustainable development and gender equality.
In her capacity as Sarpanch, Hema Kumari has spearheaded transformative initiatives focusing on three crucial pillars: health, education, and financial independence. Recognizing the critical importance of addressing health concerns among women, she initiated regular health camps and educational programs to raise awareness about proper nutrition and prenatal care, resulting in a significant reduction in high-risk pregnancy cases and infant mortality rates.
Education has been another cornerstone of Hema Kumari's empowerment agenda. By conducting motivational meetings with parents and guardians and collaborating with medical professionals, she has successfully bridged the gender gap in school enrolment, ensuring access to quality education for all children in her community.
Furthermore, Hema Kumari has been instrumental in facilitating financial assistance and empowerment to women through various government schemes, enabling them to start their own businesses and pursue higher education. By fostering a mind-set of self-reliance and confidence among women, she has empowered them to make informed decisions about their health, education, and finances, thus nurturing their holistic well-being.
As Hema Kumari prepares to share her inspiring journey at the UN event, she underscores the importance of continuing the fight for gender equality and women's empowerment, not only in her village but across the globe. Her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration, demonstrating the transformative power of grassroots leadership in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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