New Delhi, 15 November (H.S.): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) India Region Conference in Bengaluru on November 17. The two-day conference will deliberate on key issues, including the digital participation of women representatives, cybersecurity, capacity building for women legislators and mentorship for newly elected women members. It will conclude on November 18 with an address by Karnataka Governor Dr. Sudha Yadav.

Organised by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the conference will be held at Vidhana Soudha, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly complex. Its theme is ‘Strong Foundations, Stronger Voices: Inclusive Cyberspace and Mentorship Pathways for New Women Legislators’.

Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session. Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker G. S. Patil and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ India Region, Daggubati Purandeswari, will also address the gathering.

Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed will deliver the welcome address, while Deputy Chairperson Dr. Umashree will propose the vote of thanks. Women members of Parliament and legislators from various State and Union Territory legislatures, along with other distinguished dignitaries, are expected to participate in the conference.

Two plenary sessions will be held as part of the deliberations. The first, scheduled for November 17, will focus on ‘Empowering Women Digitally: Safe Cyberspace, Smart Choices’. It will examine measures to ensure women's safe, effective and informed participation in the digital environment.

The second plenary session, to be held on November 18, will address ‘Capacity Building and Mentorship for Women Legislators’. Discussions will focus on strengthening the legislative capabilities of women representatives and identifying ways to provide guidance and institutional support, particularly to newly elected women legislators.

In addition, UN Women India will organise a special side event on menopause on November 17. The session will explore various aspects of women's health, well-being and dignity.

The conference will conclude on November 18 with the valedictory address by Karnataka Governor Dr. Sudha Yadav. The Karnataka Chief Minister, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and Chairman of the Karnataka Legislative Council will also address the concluding session.

The Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians’ India Region will present a statement outlining the key outcomes of the conference.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar