8 JUNE2024IN FOCUSIN FOCUSFICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) has partnered with Deputy British High Commissioners to explore trade and investment opportunities in the UK for women entrepreneurs from Odisha. The initiative includes establishing a bilateral mentorship program, facilitating access to the UK market for Indian women-led startups, and identifying investment sectors like technology, healthcare, and sustainable products. The partnership strengthens economic bonds between India and the UK, promoting female-driven innovation and enterprise on an international scale.The FLO Bhubaneshwar Chapter, met with the British High Commissioner's office-East and Northeast India to discuss trade and investment opportunities for Odisha's women entrepreneurs, emphasizing the UK's support mechanisms for female entrepreneurs. FLO - Bhubaneshwar's Chairperson, Rashmi Sahoo expressed, "This partnership marks a significant step towards integrating our talented women entrepreneurs into the global market. The UK's vibrant economy offers numerous opportunities for innovation and growth, and we are excited to embark on this journey."The UK and India have agreed to establish a bilateral mentorship program, ease access to the UK market for Indian women-led startups, and identify investment opportunities in sectors like technology, healthcare, and sustainable products. The meeting aims to create a thriving ecosystem benefitting both economies and pave the way for female-driven innovation. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has found that less than 10 percent of the candidates in the Lok Sabha elections are women. Out of the 8,337 candidates analyzed, only 797 are women, representing only 9.5 percent of the total candidates across the seven phases of the elections. This gender imbalance has sparked criticism from political analysts and activists, who call for structural reforms and proactive steps to ensure equal opportunities for women in politics.The election process saw a small percentage of women candidates in the first phase, with only 135 out of 1,618 candidates being women. A similar pattern continued in subsequent phases, with a small number of women in each phase. In phase 2, around 100 women candidates had affidavits out of 1,198 candidates. Phase 3 had 1,352 candidates where 123 individuals were women and 244 with criminal cases. Phase 4 has 1,710 candidates where 170 were women. Phase 5 had 695 candidates, and 82 women. Phase 6 saw 866 candidates where 92 were women whereas Phase 7 will have 904 candidates with 95 women.The women's reservation bill, which has been pending for 27 years, has been granted with reservation of one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. However, political analysts and activists criticize political parties for waiting for the women's reservation bill instead of proactively issuing women's tickets. Dr. Sushila Ramaswamy suggests parties should promote women's candidacy and field more women candidates. FLO INDIA & UK PARTNER TO PROMOTE FEMALE-DRIVEN INNOVATION IN ODISHAWOMEN MAKE UP 9.5 PERCENT CANDIDATES IN LS ELECTIONS, FINDS ADR REPORT
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