Srinagar, 18 May (H.S.): The Minister said, women from Jammu & Kashmir are increasingly emerging as equal stakeholders in India’s growth story, excelling in competitive examinations, startups, self-help groups, science, technology and public service.
Addressing “Shakti Samwad”, an interactive meeting with State Women Commissions organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), Dr. Jitendra Singh said the last decade has witnessed a democratization of opportunities, enabling women to move from participation to leadership roles across professions and institutions. He said the transformation calls for a corresponding change in societal mindset as women increasingly lead from the front in almost every sphere.
The event was led by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar and attended by kunAdditional Secretary NCW Ms. B. Radhika Chakravarthy, senior officials, members of State Women Commissions and representatives from various States and Union Territories. Organised under NCW’s continuing initiative to strengthen coordination with State Women Commissions, the programme focused on institutional collaboration, women empowerment, grassroots outreach and sharing of best practices for ensuring safety, dignity and equal opportunities for women across the country.
Dr. Jitendra Singh appreciated the National Commission for Women for taking institutional engagement beyond conference halls and policy discussions by directly connecting with women at the grassroots level. Referring to the holding of the national-level interaction in Srinagar, he said the initiative sends out a strong message about the importance being accorded to Jammu & Kashmir and its women strength. He expressed confidence that the ongoing “Shakti Samwad” interaction would further catalyse the contribution of women from the region in India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
Recalling Jammu & Kashmir’s rich civilisational legacy, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the region has historically produced iconic women personalities such as Lal Ded and Habba Khatoon, who played a significant role in shaping and preserving the composite cultural ethos of Kashmir through literature, spirituality and social influence.
The Minister said women in Jammu & Kashmir endured enormous social and emotional hardship during nearly three decades of terrorism and instability, with many families suffering irreparable losses. He said the improving environment in recent years has created new opportunities for women to reconnect with the national mainstream and participate fully in the developmental transformation underway across the region.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that after the abrogation of Article 370 and the rapid expansion of welfare initiatives, women in Jammu & Kashmir are increasingly receiving the same opportunities and benefits available to women in the rest of the country. Referring to flagship schemes launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said initiatives such as Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Mudra Yojana and the Lakhpati Didi programme have brought far-reaching socio-economic changes by improving ease of living, enhancing financial independence and strengthening self-confidence among women.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
