Vice Chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir Women’s Development Corporation (JKWDC) and Minister of State for Health & Medical Education, Social Welfare and Housing & Urban Development Departments Asiea Naqash today said that women hold an important place in the society and called for empowering them to keep two wheels of human cycle moving in tandem for economic and social justice.The Minister was speaking as chief guest at an event organised by JKSWDC in collaboration with the Government Women’s College Parade to commemorate the International Women’s Day.On the occasion, the Minister inaugurated two days Sale-cum-Exhibition of products prepared by Self Help Groups (SHGs) assisted by JKWDC. She inspected the stalls and appreciated SHGs for producing variety of the products for earning their livelihood independently.Asiea Naqash also distributed an amount of Rs 1.12 crore among 43 beneficiaries as loan component for establishment of their own income generating unit for their self reliance, besides awarding two beneficiaries whose recoveries were upto mark and three beneficiaries for best products.
The Minister said that the new millennium has witnessed a significant change about women’s equality and emancipation with more women in the Sports, Education, Politic, and Administration. She further said that empowerment of women should be both in economic and political spheres and there should be emphasis on education of Girl Child.She stressed to chalk out well defined strategies for helping women in micro-financing, skill development and entrepreneurship development besides calling for further augmentation of Self Help Groups.The Minister emphasized upon women in general and Self Help Groups in particular to come forward and work in unison for their rights and stand on their own feet and make their life prosperous.The Minister enumerated several steps that Government has taken for the welfare of womenfolk and for making women economically self reliant and giving them their due place in the society.
Asiea Naqash said that women have achieved success in different walks of life and it is the responsibility of such women to play a significant role for women empowerment.The Minister asked the students to take their studies seriously so that after attaining education they are able to contribute positively to the society. She also laid stress on equal importance of curricular and extracurricular activities.Asiea Naqash said that objective of observing the International Women’s Day is to change the way the society treats the women and ensure a world where the only limit on them is their talent not their gender. She said the responsibility to provide a conducive and protective atmosphere to the girl child rests first with the family and then the society at large.While speaking on the occasion, Special Secretary Social Welfare Department Tariq Ahmad Mir stressed that women folk should come forward for demanding their legitimate rights.On the occasion, students and art groups dressed up in colourful costume for group folk dance and other cultural activities, served audience with an assorted platter of entertainment.Managing Director, JKSWDC Nahid Soz, Director Doordarshan Jammu Anjali Sharma, Principal GWC Parade and large number of women entrepreneurs, members of various Self Help Groups (SHGs) sponsored by JKSWDC from across the State, faculty members and college students were present on the occasion.