New Delhi: The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, in association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, is organizing a Women’s Convention – called Swachh Shakti 2018 – tomorrow, on International Women’s Day, at Lucknow. 8000 women sarpanches, 3000 women Swachhagrahis, 2000 mahilasamakhyas from Uttar Pradesh and women sarpanches from across the country have been invited to recognize their outstanding contribution towards making Swachh Bharat a reality in rural India. The Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, along with other Ministers and dignitaries most of them women will address and honour the women champions on this occasion.
Last year, 6000 women sarpanches from across the country had assembled in Gujarat on the occasion of International Women’s Day under the banner Swachh Shakti 2017. They were directly addressed and honouredby the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
This year, Uttar Pradesh will be hosting Swachh Shakti 2018 as the largest State in the country, with a massive rural populace. The event will be presided over by Sushree Uma Bharti, Minister Drinking Water and Sanitation. Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh will be the Chief Guest for the occasion. The event will include special exhibitions, films and other activities dedicated to women’s role in Swachh Bharat Mission. It is expected that Swachh Shakti 2018 will provide momentum to the sanitation coverage in UP where the task is quite large. 37 SwachhataShakti Raths will be flagged off to run and trigger various districts in the state. Meanwhile, across the country, many States are holding public events to honour Women Swachhata Champions in their States as a part of Swachh Shakti 2018.
The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched on October 2nd, 2014, by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, is aimed at achieving a clean and open defecation free (ODF) India. With all-round efforts, 314 districts and 3.23 lakh villages which includes 9 States and 2 UTs have been declared ODF and the sanitation coverage has more than doubled from 38.70% to 78.98% since the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched.
