Chandrababu Naidu Women Empowerment Focus on Strengthening Self-Help Groups
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reiterated his government’s commitment to strengthening the role of women in society and the economy, highlighting a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women across the state. Addressing a gathering of self-help group members, he recalled that even in 1997, when many families viewed the birth of a girl child as a burden, the government introduced a special welfare initiative for girl children by depositing ₹5,000 in their name to secure their future. The programme, he said, was part of a broader vision of Chandrababu Naidu women empowerment, which focuses on improving education, financial independence, and social status for women.
The Chief Minister also highlighted steps taken to encourage girls’ education and participation in public life. To ensure that girls could continue their schooling without transportation difficulties, bicycles were distributed to students studying in Classes 8, 9, and 10, helping them travel to schools easily and pursue higher education. He said the government strongly believes that educating girls will lead to stronger families and a more progressive society. Naidu praised the contribution of DWACRA and MEPMMA self-help groups, noting that while many institutions have weakened over time, women’s self-help groups have remained strong and disciplined. He added that these groups not only support financial independence but can also serve as platforms to discuss important social issues such as domestic violence and family welfare.
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Highlighting recent welfare measures, Naidu said the coalition government that came to power in 2024 has introduced several schemes aimed at supporting women and families. Under the Talliki Vandanam scheme, mothers receive ₹15,000 as a gesture of respect and support, irrespective of the number of children in the family. Another major initiative, the Stree Shakti free bus travel scheme, has enabled women to make nearly 50 crore free bus journeys, reducing transportation expenses and making travel easier for work, education, and daily activities. The government has also focused on easing household burdens by providing three free LPG cylinders per year, ensuring that women do not struggle with rising fuel costs. Even as global conflicts and market fluctuations increase LPG prices, the Chief Minister assured that free cylinders for women would continue.
Naidu also emphasized the importance of creating women entrepreneurs across the state. The government had earlier set a target of creating one lakh women entrepreneurs, but the response exceeded expectations. So far, 1,12,686 women have established MSME enterprises, including nearly 33,899 entrepreneurs in urban areas. He praised the financial discipline of women’s self-help groups, noting that DWACRA members consistently repay loans and build strong credit systems that allow them to receive additional financial support. At present, the DWACRA network includes 84.66 lakh members across 8.34 lakh self-help groups, reflecting the strength of women’s participation in economic activities. To further support these groups, the government launched a new brand called “Swayam”, which will market products made by women entrepreneurs. The initiative will help improve product quality, packaging, and marketing so that locally produced goods can reach larger markets across India and even internationally.
The Chief Minister also shared his personal experience, saying that when he entered politics he encouraged his wife to manage their family company. Though she initially hesitated, she now runs the company successfully along with his daughter-in-law. He said their experience proves that women can successfully lead businesses and contribute significantly to economic growth. Naidu also emphasized the importance of women’s safety, stating that the government will take strict action against those who threaten women’s security. At the same time, he stressed the need to improve women’s health awareness, particularly regarding diseases such as cervical and breast cancer, because healthy women form the foundation of healthy families.
In addition to economic empowerment, Naidu spoke about strengthening family values and addressing demographic challenges. He said joint families have traditionally been one of India’s greatest strengths and encouraged people not to separate families merely to access government benefits such as ration cards, pensions, or housing schemes. The government is also considering incentives to support larger families, including enhanced pensions, housing benefits, and additional ration supplies. Naidu concluded by saying that technology adoption and entrepreneurship will play a key role in shaping the future of women in Andhra Pradesh, reaffirming that the government’s long-term vision of Chandrababu Naidu women empowerment will continue to focus on creating opportunities, ensuring safety, and improving the quality of life for women across the state.
