The Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women (JKSCW) in association with District Administration, Jammu organized an awareness programme to educate the participants about measures and schemes in place for women protection and empowerment here today.The awareness programme titled ‘Respect Women’ was aimed at ensuring women empowerment at all levels and witnessed the participation of more than 150 Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHA workers and District Social Welfare Offices.Chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women Nayeema Mehjoor, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Secretary SCW Aijaz Abdullah and ADC Jammu besides other officers were present on the occasion.During the programme, the participants and ground level workers were educated about various state and centrally sponsored schemes so that necessary information can be dispersed to the designated beneficiaries.The participants were briefed about schemes including Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), ARSH (Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health) Scheme, Ladli Beti, Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls – Sabla, Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), among others.The participants were also made aware about the national and state legislations, laws about women safety, their rights, Domestic Violence Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, etc.
“It is essential to educate women about laws and schemes designed to make them independent,” the Chairperson said, adding that, this education is essential to counter disempowerment that starts in our society from the moment a female child is born.She said the government initiatives are aimed at changing this mindset of society, starting with women themselves.She further said, “Empowerment of women begin when we take a stand for our rights against any infringement, violation - be it at home, in the workplace or on the streets.” She urged the participants to put in every effort to help women stand on their feet by facilitating them in enrolling for these schemes’ benefits.She said the Commission is working towards empowering the women of J&K and bringing down the cases of crime against women. As part of the programme, an interaction was also held wherein the district level functionaries gave an update about their work at ground level and apprised the commission about the status of implementation of these schemes.