Mangalore: The Department of Commerce St Agnes College in collaboration with Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Karnataka, organized UGC sponsored Two-day National Conference on “Women Empowerment through Microfinance Challenges and Prospects”, at St Agnes Conference Hall, Sophia Block here on Friday September 26.
Delivering the keynote address Prof Yashavantha Dongre, co-ordinator, Third Sector Research Centre, University of Mysore said that apart from propagating women in political sectors in India, we also need to focus on women as a constituency in social, economic, cultural and political contexts.
The economic empowerment of women is essential for sustainable development. Moreover it is also necessary to have credit reduced dependency, provided dignity, facilitated earning and non-economic interactions and increased confidence in women,” he added.
Women can benefit from micro-finance which plays a critical role in their lives. It facilitates poverty reduction, increases women’s role in management of household funds and facilitates better education, Dongre concluded.
The programme was inaugurated by the President of Sinchana Mahila Mandal Porkodi Bajpe Nalini Shetty by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
After inaugurating the event, Nalini Shetty, said that from finding confidence to reaching certain goals, she found strength in self-help groups for everything. A woman can come forward to a great extent through local self-help groups and micro-finance, she said.
Recollecting her plight and struggle Nalini said, “Since my childhood social service has been my leisure pursuit. I had a dream to become a teacher but due to financial problems, I gave up my education. I was rolling beedies to support my family. When I was just a teen, I was married off by my parents. To support my family I have struggled a lot. I joined the self help group and started my business on loan.”
She has been encouraging the students to use their education for the betterment of people and improving the economy in the country, she has converted several illiterates into neo literates, she says, “I even taught women how to sign instead of using their thumb impression.”
Nalini says, “If a woman makes up her mind she can do wonders in the society.”
S G Hegde, Joint Director of DIC, Mangalore, spoke on the occasion. Dr M Prem D’Souza, principal of the college, delivered the presidential address.
