Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate India’s first-ever National Conference of Committees on Empowerment of Women on September 14th in Tirupati, bringing together over 100 parliamentary and state legislature delegates to address the critical theme of “Empowering Women to Face Challenges of Emerging Technologies.”
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High-Profile Gathering of National Leaders
The two-day conference has attracted India’s top political leadership, demonstrating the national priority placed on women’s technological empowerment. Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and Parliamentary Committee Chairperson D. Purandeswari will address the inaugural session alongside Speaker Birla.
Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker C. Ayyannapatrudu and Legislative Council Chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju will also participate, making this the most comprehensive gathering of women empowerment leaders in India’s legislative history.
The conference represents Speaker Birla’s innovative initiative to bring together parliamentary and legislative committees from across the country for focused deliberations, moving beyond the traditional approach where committees worked in isolation.
Comprehensive Technology Focus
The conference agenda addresses India’s digital transformation challenges with special emphasis on Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Biotechnology, and Cybersecurity, and their specific implications for women’s empowerment.
Key discussion areas include:
- Bridging the gender digital divide that currently excludes millions of Indian women from technological opportunities
- Increasing women’s representation in STEM fields, where India continues to lag behind global averages
- Ensuring digital safety for women in an increasingly connected world
- Strengthening women’s role in entrepreneurship and innovation within technology sectors
The deliberations will examine strategies for women’s inclusion in emerging technology-driven economies to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
“Women-Led Development for Viksit Bharat”
Beyond the main technology theme, the conference includes “Women Led Development for Viksit Bharat” as a core focus area, along with two critical sub-themes: “Gender Responsive Budgeting” and a deeper exploration of emerging technology challenges.
Gender Responsive Budgeting discussions will examine how government spending can be restructured to better support women’s technological advancement and economic participation.
The Viksit Bharat component aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, with women’s technological empowerment as a fundamental pillar.
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National Committee Structure
The Parliamentary Committee on Empowerment of Women comprises 20 Lok Sabha members and 10 Rajya Sabha members, currently chaired by D. Purandeswari, who serves as a Union Minister. This joint committee structure ensures representation from both houses of Parliament.
Andhra Pradesh’s state committee includes three Legislative Council members and nine Legislative Assembly members, chaired by G. Charita Reddy, reflecting the federal approach to women’s empowerment initiatives.
Each participating state has nominated four-member delegations along with their committee chairpersons, ensuring focused yet comprehensive representation from across India’s diverse legislative landscape.
Third in Series of National Legislative Conferences
This women’s empowerment conference represents the third major gathering in Speaker Birla’s initiative to convene national legislative committees. Earlier conferences included:
- Estimates Committee meeting in Maharashtra two months ago
- SC/ST Committee gathering in Bhubaneswar in August 2025
- Current Women Empowerment Conference in Tirupati
Andhra Pradesh Legislature Secretary General Prasanna Kumar Suryadevara explained: “The Lok Sabha Speaker has started the initiative of convening all the committees from across the country in a particular state to deliberate on a particular subject,” marking a new era of collaborative legislative governance.
Expected Outcomes and Declaration
The conference will culminate with a formal declaration on women’s empowerment on September 15th, expected to outline concrete strategies for integrating women into India’s technological future.
The valedictory session will feature addresses by Governor Nazeer, Speaker Birla, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Chairperson Purandeswari, and Speaker Ayyannapatrudu, followed by a vote of thanks from the Andhra Pradesh Deputy Speaker.
Following the conference, dignitaries will visit Srikalahasti temple, combining the serious policy discussions with cultural engagement that reflects India’s approach to holistic development.
Historical Significance
As the first-ever national conference bringing together women empowerment committees from Parliament and all state/UT legislatures, this gathering establishes a precedent for collaborative policy-making on critical national issues.
The focus on emerging technologies acknowledges that women’s empowerment in the 21st century cannot be separated from technological literacy and access, making this conference particularly timely given India’s rapid digital transformation.
