LEAD NEWS : UN WOMEN INDIA COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE SHOKO ISHIKAWA PRAISES MADHYA PRADESH’S ‘SAFE TOURIST DESTINATION FOR WOMEN’ MODEL

(Interacted with STDW-trained young women; handmade gifts won the hearts of the international delegation )

TTT NEWS NETWORK

BHOPAL | 1 JULY 2026

Fulfilling Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s vision of women’s empowerment and safety, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is implementing the “Safe Tourist Destination for Women (STDW)” project. As part of this initiative, during a special session organized by the Tourism Board, Shoko Ishikawa, Country Representative of UN Women India, directly interacted with women trained under the project and learned about their experiences and achievements.

Ms. Shoko Ishikawa appreciated the confidence, leadership qualities, and skills demonstrated by the trained participants. She said that this initiative is an important example of advancing the global vision of creating safe and inclusive tourism spaces for women. She added that active participation of local communities is the greatest strength of this project.

Commitment to Making the State the Safest for Women Tourists:

Mr. Abhay Arvind Bedekar, Additional Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, said that their goal is to make Madhya Pradesh the safest and most sensitive tourism destination in the country for women travelers. Through coordinated efforts in safety, skill development, and community participation, new opportunities are being created for women, making the tourism sector more inclusive.

Handmade Gifts Reflected Self-Reliance:

During discussions on the STDW project, women and girls associated with the initiative showcased their skills by presenting self-made handicrafts to the guests. These included handmade souvenirs, fabric jewelry, and Feng Shui artworks. These products not only displayed local art and creativity but also demonstrated how the project is effectively working toward making women economically self-reliant. During the meeting, the UN Women India delegation appreciated the project’s skill development model, community participation, and the positive transformation in women’s confidence, describing it as an effective and inspiring initiative.

On this occasion, Kanta Singh, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women India, and Joyatri Ray, State Representative, were also present.