Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the Conference of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) India Region at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Tuesday, November 17, the Lok Sabha Secretariat announced on Sunday. The two-day conference, running on November 17 and 18, is the first standalone CWP India Region conference of its kind in the country.

Source: Lok Sabha Secretariat

The conference is jointly organised by the Parliament of India and the Karnataka Legislature and is expected to bring together more than 150 women parliamentarians, legislators and presiding officers. Its theme is 'Strong Foundations, Stronger Voices: Inclusive Cyberspace and Mentorship Pathways for New Women Legislators'.

Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar will deliver the keynote address at the inaugural session. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Karnataka Assembly Speaker G. S. Patil and CWP India Region Chairperson Daggubati Purandeswari will also address the gathering, according to the Secretariat's announcement.

Source: IANS

Two plenaries: digital safety and mentorship

The first plenary session, on November 17, is titled 'Empowering Women Digitally: Safe Cyberspace, Smart Choices' and will focus on helping women legislators engage safely and effectively online. The second, on November 18, covers capacity building and mentorship for women legislators, particularly those newly entering legislative institutions.

UN Women India will organise a side event on menopause on November 17. The conference will conclude on November 18 with the valedictory address by Karnataka Governor Dr. Sudha Yadav, and the CWP India Region Chairperson will present a statement on the outcome of the conference.