With the objective to reach out to the women in their own habitat for redress of their issues, the Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women (JKSCW) led by its Chairperson Nayeema Ahmad Mehjoor today visited various areas of the district and organized an awareness programme for women at Government Degree College, Kathua.The theme of the programme was “Respect Women” which was organized to sensitize the women in general and female students in particular about various women centric legislations and women friendly initiatives of the government.Mehjoor, while interacting with the women, laid emphasis on women education saying there’s no alternative to education as it is the only tool to liberate oneself from the web of ignorance hindering their progress. She said that education is important for women empowerment and female literacy should be encouraged at all levels. “It’s our responsibility to change the traditional mindset of people towards women so that women are given equal status in every field of life,” she added.
Exhorting women of the region to come out and highlight their issues, Nayeema Mahjoor said every woman is an ambassador of the Commission. She insisted that every woman should become a role model for the society as they have capabilities to work better and are good at multi tasking. They should realize their potential and the society should consider them as part of community and allocate responsibilities to them in all fields, she added.Secretary, State Commission for Women Ajaz Abdullah said that the Commission for Women has been established to protect women's rights and advance the cause of women in the State. The purpose of having a women's commission is to create an independent watchdog and guardian for women, especially in a state, where a large number of women may be unaware of their rights and unable to protect them using the usual enforcement mechanisms. He underlined that it is not just a Commission but an outreach institution which is working in every sphere to listen to women’s grievances pertaining to different issues and solve them amicably.Among others ADC, Dr Bharat Bhushan, Principal GDC Prof Netar Singh, Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHA workers, FMPHWs, ANMs and college students were present in the camp.