🔴Deliberations on Rural Women's Empowerment in Ranchi; Demand Raised for an Effective Women's Policy
Ranchi | April 23, 2026
Successful and resilient women from across the state participated in a round-table meeting on rural women's empowerment, organized by the JSLPS (Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society) under the Department of Rural Development in the state capital, Ranchi. During this meeting, a strong demand was raised for the formulation of a comprehensive women's policy in Jharkhand.
Addressing the gathering, Deepika Pandey Singh, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, stated that the state government does not wish to limit women merely to livelihood activities; rather, it is continuously working towards enabling them to become competitive and assume leadership roles in every sector. She highlighted that 3.2 million women in the state are currently associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), thereby strengthening the future of both society and their families.
The Minister acknowledged that while significant work remains to be done in the fields of health, education, safety, and social reform, the government remains steadfast in its efforts in this direction. She noted that, through credit linkages, women are excelling in self-employment ventures, and their products have now established a distinct identity as recognized brands in the market.
Speaking at the meeting, Supriya Shrinate remarked that rural women possess innate leadership potential, which needs to be recognized and nurtured. Meanwhile, educationist Dr. Pam Rajput expressed concern over the fact that, even today, society continues to raise questions regarding single women; she emphasized that the absence of a dedicated women's policy in Jharkhand necessitates concrete initiatives to address this issue.
During the event, Padma Shri Chhutni Mahato shared her experiences regarding her struggle against the practice of "witch-hunting" (Dayan Pratha), revealing that she has helped secure justice for over 1,500 women to date. Concurrently, Padma Shri Chami Murmu underscored the pivotal role women play in environmental conservation.
Several public representatives—including Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey, and MLAs Lois Marandi and Shweta Singh—also shared their views during the program. There was a consensus among all participants that the inherent potential of rural women constitutes the greatest strength in their journey toward empowerment. During the meeting, women associated with the fields of education, health, Panchayats, social organizations, journalism, and entrepreneurship also offered their suggestions and emphasized the need to formulate a concrete policy for women's empowerment.
