To enable women to be tech-savvy so as to be able to easily use technology in their daily life, Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) is organizing a ‘Digital Literacy Abhiyan’ from November 15 to December 31.

The exercise aims to specially educate women from rural areas as they lack knowledge on use of technology. It will also reach out to urban poor who do not use their phones beyond accessing basic facilities and social media.

As many as 465 NGOs along with the MSCW will help impart skills on the use of mobile technology to women across the state. Some 100,000 women across all districts of Maharashtra will be trained to use government apps like Digilocker, GeM, and UMANG, fin tech apps like UPI, BHIM, and Google Pay, along with apps like IRCTC and state government apps like Aaple Sarkar among several others. If successful, the Abhiyan will be scaled up further.

The commission also organized an exhibition called ‘Bharat Ki Laxmi’ on November 5-6 in Mumbai showcasing the narratives of 36 brave women achievers across different fields. Some of them are Pranjal Patil, India’s first visually impaired IAS officer who has recently taken charge as Thiruvanthapruam sub-collector, Tessy Thomas, the first woman to head an Indian missile project, Anurima Sinha, the first woman amputee to climb the highest peak of Antarctica, Gauri Mahadik, who will now be joining the army after losing her husband, army major Prasad Mahadik in a firing at Arunachal Pradesh, Rahibai Popere, a farmer and conservationist who has created a seed bank of native varieties. These super-achievers help bring out their stories and inspire other women.

“Women are the backbone of their families. Not only they look after their families but also manage their careers successfully in different fields. Many women achieve outstanding success in their respective fields. We are showcasing some examples of such exemplary women achievers across different fields in the country,” said Vijaya Rahtakar, chairperson, Maharashtra State Commission for Women. Rahatkar added that as a society we must rise above gender discrimination and facilitate such women achievers. This helps remove gender discrimination and inspires others.