Inaugural Session
Women Empowerment Conference Opens in Tirupati: On 14 September 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the National Conference on Women Empowerment in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The event was organised by the Parliamentary and Legislative Committee on Empowerment of Women. Lawmakers, civil society leaders, and policy experts participated in this two-day conference.
Focus on Inclusive Development
In his address, Om Birla highlighted that inclusive development cannot be achieved without equal participation of women in public life. He stressed that empowering women is both a social responsibility and a strategic national priority. The conference began with the release of a Souvenir and the inauguration of an Exhibition showcasing women’s contributions across multiple sectors.
Landmark Reservation Policy
A key theme of the conference was the 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies. This landmark law aims to correct the historic underrepresentation of women in legislative bodies. Om Birla noted that the reservation will be impactful only when backed by opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Static GK fact: The Women’s Reservation Bill, formally known as the Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, was first introduced in Parliament in 1996 but passed in 2023 as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act.
Themes and Deliberations
The sessions reviewed the status of women’s representation in legislatures, the role of gender-sensitive policies, and best practices from states and other countries. Women leaders shared their experiences on challenges in politics, from institutional barriers to social stereotypes. Expert panels discussed legal and policy tools to strengthen equality and promote leadership opportunities.
Static GK Tip: India elected its first woman Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, in 1966, making her the second woman in the world to head a democratic government.
Broader Impact
The conference underlined that political empowerment of women is directly linked to national growth. By ensuring one-third seats in legislative bodies, India is taking a step toward gender-balanced governance. Civil society’s participation in the deliberations also reflected the importance of collective action in addressing structural inequalities.
Static GK fact: As of 2025, countries like Rwanda and Mexico have achieved near gender parity in their legislatures, serving as global examples for women’s political empowerment.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Women Empowerment Conference Opens in Tirupati:
| Topic | Detail |
| Event | National Conference on Women Empowerment |
| Date | 14 September 2025 |
| Venue | Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh |
| Inaugurated by | Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla |
| Organised by | Parliamentary and Legislative Committee on Empowerment of Women |
| Key theme | 33% reservation for women in legislatures |
| Activities | Souvenir release, Exhibition showcasing women’s contributions |
| Duration | Two days |
| Focus areas | Women’s representation, gender-sensitive policies, best practices |
| Significance | Strengthening women’s role in governance and policy making |
