Women Empowerment, during the Sikkim @50 India Today conclave was the very important engaging topic themed “Empowering Voices of Sikkim” with Sikkimese all women panellists comprising of Deputy Speaker Sikkim Legislative Assembly Ms Raj Kumari Thapa, Secretary Information and Public Relations Department Ms Annapurna Alley, CEO/Founder Agapi Sikkim Ms Rinzing Choden Bhutia, Founder Palmo Handicrafts Ms Sernya Pradhan and Mountaineer Ms Manita Pradhan. The discussion shared powerful insights on gender empowerment, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and breaking barriers in male-dominated fields.
The session opened with Sikkim’s first woman Deputy Speaker, who spoke about the state’s progressive approach to gender roles. “The State Government leads by setting examples”, with this statement she highlighted the women centric schemes of the state, which have been envisioned for positive potential development of women for overall Social Welfare Department. She highlighted how Sikkim’s traditions empower rather than restrict women, and shared that the state has seen more than 50% women participation in local governance at the Panchayati Raj Institution level.
Secretary Information and Public Relations Department emphasising the fact that 13, 333 women, compared to 2021 male officers,are serving the state government in Group A and B posts stated that it itself speaks for women empowerment in the state.
The innovator cum entrepreneur panellists from the state emphasised how the startup ecosystem has evolved in recent years, with increased digital access, societal acceptance, and government support enabling more women to launch businesses.
Foreign Direct Investment, artistic legacy, sustainable based models, social impact of entrepreneurship, family and institutional help in women empowerment were discussed. Together, these voices reflected a changing Sikkim where tradition and ambition go hand in hand, and women are shaping the future across sectors,as per official communique from New Delhi.
