Mangaluru to Host Major Women's Empowerment Festival on February 1-2
Mangaluru is gearing up to host a significant women's empowerment event that promises to bring together participants from across Karnataka. The Karnataka Rajya Mahila Janapada Kreedotsava and Samskrutika Sammelan, along with Mahila Vaibhava-2026, will be held on February 1 and 2, according to Chanchala Thejomaya, president of the Mangalore Taluk Mahila Mandaligala Okkuta.
Four Decades of Women's Advocacy
Addressing reporters on Saturday, Chanchala highlighted that the okkuta, established approximately 40 years ago, represents a formidable network of 125 women's associations. The federation has consistently worked toward achieving key objectives including:
- Gender equality and women's liberation
- Economic self-reliance and identity formation
- Cross-community unity and social development
She emphasized that the organization brings together women from diverse communities, religious backgrounds, and political affiliations to foster comprehensive development across social, economic, and educational spheres. A crucial aspect of their work involves enhancing awareness about and improving access to various government schemes designed specifically for women's welfare.
Statewide Participation and Event Structure
The two-day program aims to significantly strengthen women's empowerment initiatives by uniting participants from all 31 districts of Karnataka. The event will unfold across multiple venues in Mangaluru with a packed schedule of activities.
On February 1, the festivities will commence with a vibrant women's march featuring participants in diverse traditional costumes. The procession will begin from UBMC Ground (Shanti Nilaya) and proceed to Nehru Maidan, where the janapada kreedotsava (folk sports festival) will be held. This segment will include exciting competitions such as tug-of-war and various other sports events exclusively for women.
Cultural Conference and Empowerment Initiatives
Subsequent events will shift to the historic Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall as part of the cultural conference. This segment will feature an impressive array of activities including:
- Cultural competitions showcasing folk traditions from various districts
- Educational seminars on pressing social issues with expert resource persons
- Exhibitions and sales of women-made products
- A diverse food fair celebrating regional cuisines
- Comprehensive women's health check-up camps
- Organ donation registration drives
The conference will also serve as a platform for adopting resolutions that will be formally submitted to government authorities, articulating women's demands and policy recommendations.
Awards and Recognition Programs
A highlight of the event will be the presentation of the prestigious 'Karnataka Rajya Mahila Ratna' award to exceptional women achievers who have made significant contributions to women's empowerment. This recognition carries a cash prize along with the honor.
Additionally, an essay competition will be conducted for women and students under 35 years of age, providing a platform for young voices to contribute to the discourse on women's issues and empowerment strategies.
The cultural competition component promises to be particularly vibrant, with participants showcasing the rich folk culture from various districts of Karnataka, competing for attractive cash prizes.
This comprehensive festival represents a significant milestone in Karnataka's women's empowerment movement, combining cultural celebration with substantive discussions on social change and policy advocacy.
