Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3 (UNI) The Women and Child Development Conclave 2026, envisaged as a major policy and knowledge platform highlighting Kerala’s comprehensive approach to women’s empowerment and child protection, will be held at Nishagandhi Auditorium here on February 6 and 7.
Held under the theme “Where Every Woman is Empowered and Every Child is Protected – Kerala’s Vision in Action,” the conclave will focus on three key domains of the department’s mandate.
These include Women’s Empowerment, with discussions on Gender Justice beyond Biology and Social Norms; Child Development, under the theme Bright Beginnings; and Child Protection, presented through the Resilience Pavilion.
The conclave will feature expert-led sessions, thematic discussions and interactive dialogues, aimed at reviewing policy outcomes, sharing best practices and charting future strategies in the women and child development sector.
Organised by the State Women and Child Development Department with the support of the Kerala Women’s Development Corporation, the conclave forms a central pillar of Escalera Women’s Fest 2026, which will be held from February 3 to 9 at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds and Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The conclave and the Escalera Women’s Fest are designed to inspire individuals who feel discouraged by life and to strengthen the collective progress of women in the State.
She noted that Escalera, which has been successfully organised over the past two years, serves as a platform to support women’s entrepreneurship, creativity and leadership, while reinforcing the confidence and resilience built through various government initiatives.
The festival, she added, reflects the theme “Strong Women’s Steps, Caring Kerala,” symbolising the State’s women-led development journey.
The week-long event will host a wide range of programmes, including policy conclaves, entrepreneurship training sessions, thematic seminars, an exhibition-cum-marketing fair, cultural programmes and live entertainment.
The festival will be formally inaugurated on February 3 at 5.30 pm by Minister Veena George.
Several significant announcements and launches are scheduled for February 6 as part of Escalera. These include the release of the book ‘Kaval Care Chronicle’, which documents the life experiences of 12 children under State care, the announcement of achievements under the Koodanayum family-based care programme, logo launches for the Chuvadukal project, the declaration of complete electrification of anganwadis across the State, and the announcement of milestones achieved through the Child-Friendly Audit initiative.
The State’s Kaval child protection scheme has earlier received appreciation from the Supreme Court, while the Koodanayum programme has so far ensured family-based care and protection for 573 children.
A major public attraction of Escalera Women’s Fest 2026 is the Women Entrepreneurs’ Fair, featuring 140 stalls showcasing products and services by women-led enterprises.
The fair will see participation from three union Territories and eight other States, presenting a diverse and vibrant marketplace for the people of Thiruvananthapuram and visitors to the capital.
From February 4 to 9, in parallel with the conclave, the festival will host a series of seminars and discussions on women’s entrepreneurship, social empowerment, adolescent health, domestic violence and mechanisms for prevention and redressal.
These sessions aim to deepen public engagement with critical social issues while promoting awareness and solutions.
