A themed conclave, entrepreneurship training, exhibition-sale and cultural programs will be some of the highlights of Escalera 2026, a week-long women’s fest organized by the Women and Child Development Department and the Kerala State Women’s Development Corporation here from Tuesday.
Held at the Kanakakkunnu Palace premises and Nishagandhi Auditorium, the function till February 9 will feature a series of events, including an award ceremony.
The Escalera is being held to inspire those who feel shaken and discouraged, Minister for Women and Child Development Veena George said at a press conference here on Monday.
The event, which has been held twice before, will promote women’s entrepreneurship, creativity and leadership. It will highlight how women’s rights, development, welfare and leadership have contributed to transformative changes in the social, economic and cultural spheres of the state.
The minister will inaugurate the festival at 5.30 pm on Tuesday. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty and Social Justice Minister R. Bindu will preside.
On the same day, at 2 pm, ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) awards will be presented to the Child Development Department for the Child Development Sector.
Technical sessions on various topics will be held every day from 11:00 to 16:30.
“Women and Child Development Conclave 2026” will be held at Nishagandhi Hall on 6th and 7th February.
The conclave will focus on three key areas of the department – “Empowerment of Women: Gender Justice Beyond Biology and Social Norms”, “Child Development: A Bright Start” and “Child Protection: Pavilion of Resilience”.
The conclave will organize seminars and panel discussions on topics such as women’s labor force participation, care economy, role of women in governance and leadership, implementation and revision of laws relating to women, child protection systems, ICDS, nutrition, child development and children’s rights. The discussions will feature national and international experts, representatives of the administration and judiciary, academics and social activists.
The conclave will also include conceptual installations, cultural programs with renowned artists, fun activities and a food festival.
The main attraction of Escalera will be the women’s fair with 140 stands. With participation from three Union Territories and eight other states, the fair will offer a diverse marketplace for the people of Thiruvananthapuram. Various promotional events are organized as part of the festival.
From February 4 to 9, seminars will be held on topics such as women’s entrepreneurship, social empowerment, adolescent health, domestic violence and remedial mechanisms. Evenings in Escalera come to life with colorful cultural programs and live concerts.
The book ‘Kaval Care Chronicle’, which details the life experiences of 12 children, will be released on February 6. The occasion will see the announcement of Koodanayama project achievements, release of Chuvadukal scheme logo and announcement of full electrification of anganwadis and child friendly audit achievements.
Published – 02 Feb 2026 19:04 IST