Amit Shah Launches 'She Mart' and Women Empowerment Initiatives in Kollam, Kerala

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah launched various initiatives related to women empowerment and cooperation at the Pavithram Convention Center in Kollam, Kerala. The event was attended by Shri Suresh Gopi, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, along with several representatives from the cooperation sector.

During the occasion, Amit Shah inaugurated the 'Vanitham She Mart Shops' and commenced the sale of NCCF's 'Janah' products. He explained that the 'She Mart' concept is a significant effort to link women's self-help groups and rural women entrepreneurs directly with consumers and the market. Under this scheme, more than 300 She Mart stores will be established across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka, offering both 'Bharat' brand products and local goods. This will provide direct benefits to farmers and women entrepreneurs in terms of procurement, processing, branding, and packaging.

Discussing the importance of cooperation, Shri Shah stated that women's empowerment is a core objective of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' (Prosperity through Cooperation) vision. He mentioned that the formation of a separate Ministry of Cooperation at the center has given new momentum to rural development and women's empowerment. Praising Kerala's rich cooperative heritage, he noted that more than 23,000 active cooperative societies are functioning in the state.

Sharing data on women's empowerment, he revealed that female labor force participation, which was approximately 23 percent in 2017-18, has now increased to 40 percent. Additionally, bank accounts have been opened for 36 crore women, and over 11,000 women officers are serving in the Indian Army. He stated that the goal of creating 3 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' was achieved ahead of schedule, and the target has now been increased to 6 crore by 2029.

During the program, Amit Shah flagged off NCCF and NAFED mobile vans providing onions at a subsidized rate of 35 rupees per kg. Furthermore, free urad and chana seed kits were distributed to women farmers under the Atmanirbhar Dalhan Mission, and checks were presented to girls under the NAFED-Kalyan Scholarship Scheme.

The Union Minister emphasized the potential of Kerala's 'Blue Economy,' stating that the state's long coastline and maritime traditions offer vast opportunities in the fisheries sector. He urged the state government to utilize central government schemes to transform the fisheries and marine sector into a major economic opportunity. The event also saw the exchange of various Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between NCCF and CFCICI, as well as between NCCF and the Bharat Lajna Cooperative Society.