Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the two-day Conference of Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP), India Region, at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on November 17, 2026. The conference will bring together women legislators from Parliament and State and Union Territory legislatures to discuss digital inclusion, legislative capacity building and mentorship.
The event will be held under the theme, ‘Strong Foundations, Stronger Voices: Inclusive Cyberspace and Mentorship Pathways for New Women Legislators’.
Senior Political Leaders to Address Inaugural Session
The inaugural session will be attended by Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, who will deliver the keynote address. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker G. S. Patil and CWP India Region Chairperson Daggubati Purandeswari will also address the gathering.
Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed will deliver the welcome address, while Deputy Chairperson Umashree will propose the vote of thanks. Several other dignitaries and women legislators from across the country are expected to participate.
Digital Safety and Mentorship Among Key Discussion Areas
The conference will feature two plenary sessions focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing women in legislative institutions.
The first session, titled ‘Empowering Women Digitally: Safe Cyberspace, Smart Choices’, will take place on November 17. It will examine ways to help women participate safely and effectively in digital spaces.
The second plenary, ‘Capacity Building and Mentorship for Women Legislators’, is scheduled for November 18. Discussions will centre on strengthening legislative skills and developing mentorship opportunities, particularly for women entering legislative institutions for the first time.
UN Women India to Organise Special Session on Menopause
As part of the conference, UN Women India will organise a special side event on menopause on November 17. The session will seek to encourage informed discussions and raise awareness about women’s health, well-being and dignity at different stages of life.
The broader conference will provide a platform for legislators to share experiences, exchange best practices and explore ways to strengthen women’s participation and leadership through digital empowerment, capacity building and mentorship.
Governor to Deliver Valedictory Address on November 18
The conference will conclude on November 18 with a valedictory address by Karnataka Governor Sudha Yadav. The Karnataka Chief Minister, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman and Karnataka Legislative Council Chairman will also address the closing session.
CWP India Region Chairperson Daggubati Purandeswari will present a statement outlining the conference outcomes. The Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker will deliver the welcome address, while the Deputy Speaker will propose the vote of thanks.
The conference aims to strengthen dialogue and cooperation among women legislators and reinforce their role in democratic institutions. Its discussions will focus on creating a more supportive environment for women to contribute to parliamentary debate, legislative processes and democratic governance.
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