JAMMU APRIL 13:(KNS) Former minister and senior National Conference leader Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today called for effective measures to encourage substantive equality and opportunity for all to grow at all levels, saying women’s economic empowerment in particular could prove a game changer for their upliftment.
Interacting with women folk at Lower Muthi in Jammu, Sadhotra also stressed the need for addressing the gender gaps in jobs, entrepreneurship and other economic activities.
The former minister said that during different spells of National Conference government there has been significant headway in this regard and yet more is required to be done, especially in rural and semi urban areas. For realizing the goal of women emancipation and empowerment focussed attention is imperative for meeting the needs of girls and women in terms of education, health care and career advancement. He said economic emancipation is equally important for their overall growth and expressed happiness over their growing involvement in decision making. He said this process has to be redoubled to end gender bias, as also to ensure their larger participation in societal development in a big way.
Mr Sadhotra said history stands testimony to efforts made by National Conference in promoting female literacy and ensuring their economic empowerment even when education of girl child was a taboo in many states of the countries. In this context, he referred to tireless efforts of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and particularly Madr-e-Meharban Begum Abdullah, who devoted herself to the cause of girl child. As a result of their concerted efforts, a huge transformation has taken place in the status of women in Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequently also, the party continued to work for their right place in the society, he said and referred to 50 per cent female reservation in the medical colleges during the tenure of Dr Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister. This was a path breaking initiative and a pioneering step towards women empowerment, he added.
The women, he said, have greatly contributed in various fields, be it administration, academics or health care. Given opportunity, they have proven to be second to none. In academics, it is heartening that the girl students are maintaining edge and continuing to outshine, rekindling hope of a great future for them. Female education is all the more important for the healthy evolution of the society, he said while referring to the adage that if a woman is educated the entire family is educated.
Mr Sadhotra exhorted women to play their destined and designated role in emancipation of the society as responsible mothers. Upon them lies the responsibility of a healthy and progressive society, he added.
Others who spoke on the occasion are Ghar Singh Chib Corporator, Satya Jamwal, Sreshta Manhas, Asha Mehra and S Gurnam Singh.(KNS)