Media Release
Udupi, Nov 1: Women should lead the way to community development for a strong society. Putting economic resources in women’s hands is the best way to accelerate development and sustainably reduce poverty, said Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the diocese.
He addressing the gathering after inaugurating the 'Ujwala Mahila Okkoota, Brahmavar Taluk', held at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall, Kallianpur near here on Wednesday October 31. The programme was organized by Kallianpur deanery level Sthree Sangaton. The bishop said that social and economic empowerment platform enables women to save money, develop financial literacy and invest in income generating activities. The combination of economic and social empowerment positions women as leaders and decision-makers in their households and communities.
The bishop said that women should be self sufficient in life without depending on others. Women should be affectionate to benefits from the government like social and economic empowerment platform that enables women to save money, develop financial literacy and invest in income generating activities. A women’s empowerment programme enables women to be trained to form self organized and self-managed savings groups, to develop their individual empowerment and increase their access to financial resource which is critical to sustained poverty alleviation.
The programme began with an invocation song by Brahmavar and Barkur Sthree Sangaton units. Jyothi Lewis president of Sthree Sangaton Kallianpur deanery welcomed the gathering. The bishop inaugurated the programme by lighting the lamp. Later, all the presidents of the deanery inaugurated the Ujwal Women’s Okkoota by lighting the nine units lights.
Fr Lawrence C D’Souza, rector of Milagres Cathedral presided over the programme. Fr Reginald Pinto spiritual director of Sthree Sangaton of the diocese placed the outcome of the women self help groups. He said Kallianpur deanery Sthree Sangaton led highest members in self help group in the diocese. He appreciated the deanery for their marvelous achievements. He called women to lead a strong society.
Janet Barboza, diocesan president of Sthree Sangaton appreciated the Kallianpur deanery women for their active involvement in the growth of women in various ways and appreciated the deanery women for the successful gatherings here. She honored deanery president Jyothi Lewis for her good leadership.
Dr Fr Lawrence D’Souza in his presidential address said that women are housemakers of the family and they can accelerate the empowerment of the family and society. We have seen in every corner of the world that when women are empowered and take on leadership roles, they are powerful agents of change in their communities.
Fr Sandeep Jerald D’Mello spiritual director of the deanery, Sr Janet Fernandes convener spoke during the occasion. Sr Florine D’Souza, Lucy Furtado secretary of the deanery and presidents of nine units of deanery were present on the dais.
Cultural programmes like dance and skits organized during the occasion provided entertainment for the gathered. Veronica Cornelio and others compered the programme with excellence.