Itanagar, April 2 Women's empowerment is central to building a self-reliant and prosperous state, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Thursday, highlighting the role of the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) in strengthening rural communities and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.
He made the remarks in a post on X after chairing the fifth governing body meeting of the mission, which focused on strengthening livelihood initiatives and expanding economic opportunities for rural communities, particularly women-led self-help groups (SHGs), which form the backbone of the mission.
"When women are empowered, families grow stronger. Strong families lead to strong villages, and strong villages build a strong state. ArSRLM is an important step towards a self-reliant and confident Arunachal Pradesh," the chief minister said in a post on X.
Khandu said the government would prioritize improving market linkages for SHG products, promoting digital and financial literacy, and encouraging youth to take up enterprises in rural areas.
"Our focus ahead will be on improving market linkages for SHG products, promoting digital and financial literacy, encouraging youth to take up rural enterprises, and strengthening value chains in agriculture, horticulture, and forest produce," he said.
Reiterating the government's commitment to inclusive growth, the chief minister said, "ArSRLM is an important step towards (building) a self-reliant and confident Arunachal Pradesh."
The ArSRLM aims to empower rural women by organizing them into self-help groups, providing access to credit, skill development, and livelihood opportunities, thereby strengthening grassroots economic participation across the state.