Ranchi, May 5: A 10-day training programme aimed at empowering rural women by educating them on various welfare schemes of the government kicked off here on Wednesday.

The president of Jharkhand State Social Welfare Board, Pratibha Pandey, inaugurated the camp.

“An educated woman shares her literacy with the whole society, empowering it as a whole,” said Pandey. A.K. Bhattacharya, the secretary of Jharkhand State Social Welfare Board and B. Toppo, an official of the board, also attended the camp.

The camp was organised by Manthan Yuva Sansthan to increase awareness among women. Important issues like MGNREGA, Provisions of Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Area) Act, Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act, education, self-employment, social responsibility, nutrition, child development, et al will be discussed in the next few days.

Over 41 women empowerment organisations like Pratibha Mahila Samuh, Chatra, Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti, Jamtara and others are also participating. The event is aimed at imparting training to representatives of different organisations so that they, in turn, can teach their associates.

“Women should not be underestimated,”said Anima Mundu, representing Rasht-riya Unayan Vikas Kendra, Ranchi.

Jharkhand State Social Welfare Board is a wing of social welfare department of the state government that carries out various welfare schemes for women, children and girls. This programme is organised in the state every year so that the women can be made aware of their rights and responsibilities.