A day-long interaction meet of Mysuru Division to finalise the State’s Women Empowerment Draft Policy, began at the Department of Studies in Social Work, Manasagangothri here yesterday.

The meet was organised by the Women and Child Welfare Department in association with officials of various concerned Departments, voluntary organisations, NGOs and agencies working for women empowerment.

Taking a cue from the Centre’s Draft National Policy for Women in 2016, the State Government has begun the process of drafting a Woman Empowerment Policy. The Policy will take into account the diverse work spaces that women occupy today and will also look at various aspects of women’s development from their economic and social position.

Yesterday’s meet follows the district level meet held earlier at all the eight districts coming under Mysuru Division, during which opinions, suggestions etc. were received from all stakeholders.

Department Deputy Directors from all the eight districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Kodagu, Chikkamagalur, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi and members of various organisations and students took part in the interaction.

The Draft Policy which is to be announced by the State Government during the Women’s Day celebration on March 8, runs up to 35 pages and yesterday’s meet was aimed at giving final touches to the Policy.

The interaction was moderated by Dr. Sudeshna Mukherjee, Chief Consultant of Women and Child Welfare Department.

Dr. Shivappa, Head, Department of Studies in Social Work,  H.L. Kavitha, Advisor, Women and Child Welfare Department,  K. Radha, Deputy Director, Padma, Development Officer, and Nagesh Bilwa, Programme Co-ordinator were present.