A state-level convention organised by Sahakar Bharati was inaugurated in Shirdi with a focus on expanding women’s participation and leadership in the cooperative sector.
Maharashtra Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the growing participation of women in cooperatives was encouraging and could provide a new direction to the sector.
The event was attended by Minister of State Meghana Bordikar, Sahakar Bharati National President Dr Uday Joshi, state president Dattaram Chalke, Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank Administrative Board Chairman Vidyadhar Anaskar, Maharashtra Urban Cooperative Banks Federation Vice-President Vaishali Awade and other office-bearers, along with women representatives from across Maharashtra.
Vikhe Patil highlighted the role of women in savings groups, cooperative societies and various enterprises in strengthening their economic independence. He said women should receive greater opportunities in decision-making and leadership within the cooperative movement.
He also called for greater efforts to provide women with training, guidance and market access for their products, saying stronger women-led cooperatives could contribute to the growth of the rural economy.
