Lucknow, Nov. 22 -- Laying stress on empowering women to enable India to achieve self-reliance, chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said, "When half the population progresses, the nation will certainly advance."

Addressing the inter-state meet of FICCI FLO (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Ladies Organisation) in Lucknow, he remarked, "Progress must be inclusive and centered on women's empowerment. No society can be self-reliant by ignoring half its population."

Lauding FICCI FLO, he said it is contributing to promoting women's leadership and urged the organisation to strengthen its grassroots outreach.

"The women's participation in UP's workforce has increased significantly under his government. When the BJP...