Provincial President National Conference Devender Singh Rana on Sunday exhorted women to come forward and participate in the ensuing Urban Local Bodies elections in a big way, saying their political participation is imperative for ifor achieving inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.“National Conference has always opened up vistas of opportunities for every segment of society especially women who have made much contribution in political arena”, Rana said while addressing a day-long women convention at R P High School Bantalab near here.Rana said the real 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 an appropriate forum for them to 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.
Organised by prominent women leader of National Conference, Satya Jamwal, the convention witnessed women speaker highlighting their crucial role in strengthening the party at grass root level.He said history stands testimony to efforts made by National Conference in promoting female literacy and ensuring their economic empowerment even when education of girl child was a taboo in many states of the countries. In this context, he referred to tireless efforts made by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah and Madr-e-Meharban Begum Abdullah, who devoted herself to cause of girl child. As a result of their concerted efforts, a huge transformation has taken place in the status of women in Jammu and Kashmir.“Now that the women are progressing and making their mark in every-field, their larger role in politics is imperative”, Rana said, adding that the coming elections would unfold a huge platform for them and National Conference will facilitate them every possible way.
Former minister and NC District President Reasi, Babu Jagjivan Lal highlighted the crucial role played by National Conference since its inception in gender equality and social justice, saying women have progressed whenever the party came into power in Jammu and Kashmir.Jagjeevan Lal elaborated on various schemes tailored from time to time for female literacy and making women financially self-reliant by promoting the self-help groups, which proved boon for their empowerment. He hoped that women will maintain their pace in different fields and contribute in societal development in a big way.Speaking at the convention, State Vice President and former MLC Th Kashmira Singh said that political empowerment of women will lead to an emancipated society and help in offsetting various evils like domestic violence and exploitation effectively.“National Conference has been the only political party that has recognized the need for empowering women, which is why emphasis have all along been laid on female literacy and creating avenues of jobs and opportunities in different walks of life for them”, Th Kashmira Singh added.
Provincial President NC Women Wing, Satwant Kour Dogra, while dwelling upon various initiatives taken by National Conference from time to time, said raise in the seats of Medical Colleges for girls has been a landmark decision. She said female literacy, initiated by Sheikh Sahib, has made a discernible change as a result of which women are contributing for the growth of society should by shoulder with men.Dogra pledged that women will shoulder their responsibility in steering the state to peace and progress by isolating elements inimical to unity and amity in the state. She cautioned the people against machinations of divisive forces, who were bent upon dividing society on regional and religious lines.Satya Jamwal, while addressing the convention, recalled the role played by women in the previous elections and said they will be second to none whenever democratic credentials of National Conference are tested during polls.“National Conference is the only party that has strived for upliftment and welfare of women in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh”, Satya Devi maintained.Prominent among those present and who spoke on the occasion included Master Baldev Singh Bhau, Dharamvir Singh Jamwal (Distt president), Dilshad Malik, Abdul Ghani Telli, Vijay Lochan, K.D.Jamwal, Veena Oberoi, Asha Mehra, Anju Grover, Sarika Jamwal and others. (KNS)