FICCI FLO Vijayawada Hosts Special Session on “Women’s Safety and Empowerment” with Home Minister Smt. Vangalapudi Anitha Garu

FICCI FLO Vijayawada organised a special session on “Women’s Safety and Empowerment” featuring Smt. Anitha Vangalapudi Garu, as the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister for Home Affairs and Disaster Management, Government of Andhra Pradesh. During her inspiring address, the Minister highlighted the State Government’s strong commitment to advancing women’s safety, social equality, and empowerment through opportunity, awareness, and technology.

Amrita Kumar, Chairperson, FICCI FLO Vijayawada and Smt. Anita Vangalapudi felicitated GVMC workers together in the event. Amrita Kumar delightedly acknowledged that FICCI FLO Vijayawada has been actively organising events, and this was a small gesture to recognise the GVMC workers who have been tirelessly contributing to the cleanliness of the city.

Furthermore, the minister expressed her delight that they are undertaking innovative programs. She also mentioned that it was a matter of pride that they (the organisers) involved municipal sanitation workers in the event today.

Smt. Anitha Garu began her speech by expressing her gratitude to the women of Andhra Pradesh and highlighted that the true measure of a state’s progress lies in the empowerment and protection of its women. She commended the achievements of women entrepreneurs and professionals who, through determination and perseverance, have become role models for others. “Your success is your own — it is built on your willpower, effort, and persistence. No one else deserves the credit,” she remarked, encouraging women to take pride in their journeys.

Speaking about the initiatives of the government, the Home Minister emphasised about key safety measures such as the installation of CCTV cameras across the state, the introduction of drone surveillance on public roads, and the expansion of Shakti Teams. These specialised units, which include women officers, are designed to ensure a rapid response to emergencies. She urged all women to download and utilise the Shakti App, which provides immediate assistance to women in distress. “Within ten minutes of an SOS alert, our teams reach your location. The app is an essential tool for women’s safety, especially for those travelling late at night,” she noted.

Reflecting on her personal journey from a teacher to a political leader, Smt. Anitha Garu spoke about the challenges she faced while entering politics. “It was not an easy path. There were many moments of humiliation, but I used them as motivation to work harder,” she shared. Encouraging women to pursue leadership roles with confidence, she credited perseverance and self-belief as her greatest strengths.

She also discussed the “P4” model, the Public-Private-People Partnership, an initiative introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. She appealed to industrialists and organisations to adopt families by providing education or employment opportunities rather than direct financial aid, thereby creating a sustainable model of community development.

Concluding her address, Smt. Anitha Garu reminded the audience that women’s empowerment is not limited to financial success but encompasses the creation of a safe, equitable, and supportive society. “Empowerment begins with awareness, equality starts at home, and safety is our shared responsibility,” she said. The event hosted in Visakhapatnam was attended by entrepreneurs, professionals, and members of the FICCI FLO Vijayawada Chapter, and was chaired by Smt. Amrita Kumar, Chairperson of FICCI FLO Vijayawada.

About FICCI FLO

Established in 1983, FICCI FLO is the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Headquartered in New Delhi with 21 chapters across India, FLO has over 14,000 members from diverse sectors. The organisation promotes entrepreneurship and professional excellence through national initiatives and region-specific programs.

FLO’s key focus areas include:

• Skill development and financial literacy
• Support for micro, small, and medium enterprises and women-led startups
• Corporate leadership and governance training
• Promotion of women in creative industries, including textiles, handlooms, and design
• Grassroots capacity building and livelihood generation

FICCI FLO supports women at every stage of their journey — from grassroots to senior leadership — continuously building an inclusive ecosystem for women’s advancement in India.

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