National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana on Tuesday called for greater participation of women in the political process, saying this will lead to their economic and social emancipation on a larger plank.“National Conference has all along worked towards carving out a significant role for women in decision making”, Rana said while addressing Women Convention organised by the party’s Women Wing at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this afternoon.He said though women constitute half of the electorate yet their representation in decision making bodies is insignificant. “This trend is required to be reversed”, he said and urged women to come forward and shoulder their responsibilities towards shaping the destiny of the state. He said the essence and spirit of democracy will become a reality only when women are politically and financially empowered. For achieving this objective, the civic bodies, apart from legislature and parliament, would be appropriate forum for them to get elected in good numbers and priorities the schemes and programmes for women emancipation. He said their involvement in decision making at grass root level democratic institutions will be a game-changer for women empowerment.
The Provincial President said though women are leaving an indelible mark of their talent in different spheres yet their visibility in politics is still in its infancy. “Their larger role in politics is imperative”, he said and expressed happiness that the Women Wing of the party was playing a decisive role in this regard.Rana said that a duty has cast upon women activists to highlight difficulties faced to people in the wake of inflation and scarce availability of essentials and defunct utility services. “Only politically conscious women can make the system move”, he said and hoped that the women workers will fan out in their areas and project the gray areas for immediate administrative attention. He said housewives have been worst hit by anti-people policies of the present coalition dispensation, which is discernible in terms of erratic power and drinking water supply besides inferior and inadequate availability of rations at the CAPD outlets.
“Due to these infirmities in governance, women are worst sufferers”, he observed.Speaking on the occasion, Provincial President Women Wing pledged that women will shoulder their responsibility in steering the state to peace and progress by isolating elements inimical to unity and amity. She cautioned against machinations of divisive forces, who were bent upon dividing society on regional and religious lines.She reiterated that the Women Wing will work pro-actively to empower the women, particularly those having little avenues in far-off and remote areas. She said the party will continue its efforts in reaching out the poor and help them in getting benefits under various schemes.Dogra said: “Keeping with the glorious traditions of National Conference, the women of the state will play their designated role in harmonious growth of the society.”She said that National Conference is the only party that can take care of urges and aspirations of women. She said the party is working tirelessly on ground zero to elicit the support of women against various evils prevalent in the society.
During the Convention, Daljeet Sharma District President R.S. Pura, Kuldeep Kour District Jammu Rural A, Puspa Dogra District President Samba , Satya Jamwal District President Jammu Urban, Nirmal Sharma District President Poonch, Neelam Sharma District President Kathua, Mariyam Sheikh Ji District President Kishtwar, Khurshid Begum District President Rajouri Rural, detailed various issues faced to women, especially after the present dispensation took over. They expressed concern over delay in financial assistance and pension under various schemes tailored for welfare of old and destitute.Prominent among those present included Bimla Luthra Ex-MLA, Deepender Kour Ex-MLC, Veena Oberio, Manveer Kour, Rita Gupta, Dilshad Malik, Rashida Begum, Pinki Bhat, Sunita Sharma District Secretary Reasi, Amrit Versa Provincial Secretary Ramban, Puspa Dogra Provincial Secretary Chenani, Rama Gupta District President Udhampur, Rekha Langeh Block President Nagrota, Dr. Shamshad Shan, Ashu Rajput, Lata Sharma, Anju Sharma, Naseem Akhtar, Sunita Nayab, Kousar Parveen, Anju Grover, Rekha Manhas, Raksha Manhas, Raj Kour. (KNS)