Sonia Gandhi urges women to solve insurgency

Guwahati, Feb 9: UPA chairperson and Congress president SoniaGandhi today urged the women to help the government settle theinsurgency problem in the region.

Inaugurating an Integrated Scheme for Women's Empowerment at theJudges' Field here, she said women have the ability and potential tosolve social issues. She said a strong network of women SHGs and NGOscould extend a great help in this regard.

"Some of the states of the region have been witnessing violence.

Our government has always been willing to settle the problemsthrough dialogue so that peace could return to the region", she said.

Pointing out that women have a special place in the society, shepraised them for their hard working nature and being a driving force inthe society in some of the states.

Ms Gandhi informed that the women in the country have started asilent revolution as 22 lakh women SHGs were formed throughout thecountry in the past two years indicating the strong motivation of thewomen to become associated in the economic development of the country.

She advised the women SHGs of the region to follow the AndhraPradesh example of buinding a strong network of SHGs from village levelonwards.

"Collective mobilization of women could bring a speedytransformation in the society and women SHGs and NGOs should thereforework together with the panchayat members to usher in economicdevelopment in the society", she said.

The UPA chairperson also urged the people to become involved inthe implementation of the welfare schemes taken by the presentgovernment for the uplift of women and poor.

Organized by the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), the meetingwas attended by representatives from all North Eastern states includinga large number of women from Assam.

The meeting was also addressed by Union home minister ShivrajPatil, Asom chief minister Tarun Gogoi, Arunachal Pradesh CongressCommittee president Omen Deuri and CSWB chairperson Rajani Patil.

UNI