Kerala's IT dissemination project catches UNESCO attention

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 24 (UNI) After getting international recognition, Akshaya, the prestigious IT dissemination project of Kerala has caught the attention of UNESCO.

UNESCO has come forward to support Akshaya in the field of women empowerment, official sources said here today.

As per the proposal, UNESCO, in the first phase, would undertake content development activities that would enable social and cultural empowerment of women.

Contents related to legal guidance, career guidance, government schemes, health, motherhood and child would be developed through selected Akshaya centres. Research and training would form part of their programme, sources added.

The second phase includes income generation activities through women groups under these Akshaya centres. UNESCO will undertake the pilot project in Kannur.

The sources further said about 15-20 Akshaya centres would be selected in the beginning and capacity building exercises would follow.

In addition to UNESCO, UNDP, University of Adalaide and Queensland University of Technology also would be associated with the venture.

Women empowerment was the core theme of the deliberations.

Mr T K Manzoor, state co-ordinator of Akshaya who presented a paper on Akshaya pointed out the potential of tapping the idle women force of Kerala into productive levels through Akshaya.

The decision of UNESCO to participate in the activities of Akshaya was a result of the proposals in the presentation of Mr Manzoor. Representatives from different Asian contries participated in the consulations in Delhi.

Akshaya, first established in Malappuram district as a pilot project, has now rolled out to seven districts. At present the e-literacy activities are underway in seven districts. The preliminary works of extending the project to the entire state have begun.

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