Srinagar Oct 20 (KNS):  The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Senior leader and Women's wing State President Shameema Firdous on Friday said that political accountability to women begins with increasing the number of women in decision-making positions, saying the party has been a pioneer in that direction.

This she said while  addressing one-day convention of Women's Wing in Bandipora. Women’s Wing Provincial President Er Sabiya Qadri was also present. On the occasion, former CMO Dr Bilquis was formally welcomed into the party's women’s wing.  

In her address, Shameem said, “One of the pillars of NC's Women's wing  is advancing women's political participation to ensure that decision-making processes within the party are participatory, responsive, equitable and inclusive. Our efforts are focused on advancing  the status of women by catalysing their wide-ranging, long-term involvement in politics.”

  
She further added, “It was Dr. Farooq sahib led govt in 1996 that introduced reservation in the Panchayati Raj legislation of Jammu & Kashmir. In the future also, we will continue to provide resources and support our sisters and mothers to participate in politics safely.”

In her address, Er. Sabiya Qadri said that successive governments  in Jammu and Kashmir have been actively pushing for policies and initiatives aimed at empowering women in the region. “Our mothers and sisters have shown remarkable resilience and courage in overcoming the obstacles to their empowerment. The era that followed 2019 witnessed spur in these challenges and difficulties. The difficult Kashmir dynamics has tested the emotional resilience of women time and again. They are the worst hit.”

Women’s Wing Provincial Secretary Ayesha Jameel, District Secretary Women Wing Bandipora Zarina Begum and District Vice President Muhammad Maqbool Mir also addressed the convention.(KNS)