New Delhi, October 22 (H.S.): Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), has emphasised that education, safety, economic participation and leadership are essential pillars of women’s empowerment. She urged female students to remain aware of their rights and fundamental duties and to contribute actively to the development of their families, society and the nation.

Rahatkar was addressing the concluding ceremony of ‘Udaan: Dream Big, Explore Many Paths’, an initiative organised by the National Commission for Women in collaboration with the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB) of the University of Delhi, on Thursday.

She said the message ‘Dream Big, Explore Many Paths’ underscored the importance of ensuring that every young woman has access to the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to shape her future and contribute to the country’s progress.

### Creative Competitions Promote Gender Equality

Under the Udaan initiative, three competitions were organised to provide a platform for students to showcase their creativity and talent. These included reel-making, ‘Lyrics Reboot’—a competition that involved reworking song lyrics to promote gender awareness—and poster-making.

The activities offered students an opportunity to challenge gender stereotypes, communicate the message of equality and express their perspectives on social issues through creative mediums.

The event was attended by NCW members Nivedita S. Subramaniam and Archana Mishra; Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Lata Gupta; Delhi Government Women and Child Development Department Secretary Rashmi Singh; University of Delhi Registrar Vikas Gupta; and NCWEB Director Geeta Bhatt.

As part of the initiative, 26 lectures were conducted between October 1 and 19 across 26 NCWEB centres affiliated with the University of Delhi, reaching approximately 12,500 female students and raising awareness among them.

The programme was designed to nurture students’ talents, creativity and aspirations while encouraging them to pursue their ambitions through education, skill development and self-reliance.

The lectures covered a range of subjects, including personal development, emerging technologies, digital tools, future-ready skills and safe online practices. The sessions aimed to equip students with relevant knowledge and practical insights to navigate evolving educational, technological and professional opportunities.

The creative competitions also promoted digital literacy, critical thinking and artistic expression while encouraging greater student engagement with social issues.

The joint initiative of the National Commission for Women and NCWEB seeks to strengthen students’ self-confidence, broaden their understanding of emerging opportunities and empower them to make informed decisions in their personal, academic and professional lives.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar