<span style="color: #222222;">Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the government is constantly working to improve the life of women in the country so that our sisters and daughters can move forward. Addressing a seminar on the occasion of International Women's Day on Tuesday at women saint's camp at Dhordo in Kutch districts of Gujarat, the Prime Minister said that more than 80 percent of the loans under 'Standup India' have been given to the women, while about 70 percent loans have been given to the women under Mudra Yojana.<br />''<br />''Mr. Modi said that the government is also working to improve the situation of women in the country. He said that the government has made more than 11 crore toilets in the country to address the very basic problem faced by the women since years. He said that our mothers and sisters were breathing smoke while cooking through woods and dungs. Our government has provided more than 9 crore cooking gas connections to such women under the Ujjwala yojana and saved them from breathing in smoke.<br />''<br />''Prime Minister Modi said that the government is also focusing on the financial independence of women. He said that the government has connected the women with more than 23 crore Jan Dhan Bank Accounts. Mr. Modi said that we have provided more than 2 crore Pakka Houses to the poor and underprivileged women under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.<br />''<br />''The Prime Minister said that a nation which considers this earth as mother, the progress of women always gives strength to the empowerment of the nation. He said that the priority of the country lies in the full participation of women in India's development journey. Referring to the ancient tradition of the country to respect women's power, Mr. Modi said that the Goddesses of India have given voice to reform and change in society, from Bhakti movement to Gyan Darshan.<br />''<br />''Mr. Modi said that the land of Kutch has been a symbol of women's power for centuries. He said that goddess Mother Ashapura herself resides in the form of Mother Shakti. The women here have taught the entire society to live with harsh natural challenges and win the fight.<br />''<br />''The Seminar has been organized to recognise the role of women saints in the society and their contribution towards women empowerment. More than 500 women saints have attended this Seminar in Dhordo- the White Rann of Kutch. The various sessions on culture, religion, female upliftment, security, social status and role of women in Indian culture were also held during the seminar. The welfare schemes of central and state governments benefiting women along with achievements of women have been discussed during the various sessions.<br />''<br />''Union Minister Smriti Zubin Irani, the Union Ministers of State Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar remained present on this occasion. The seminar was also attended by Sadhvi Rithambara, Maha Mandleshwar Kankeshwari Devi among others. </span>