Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga, today advocated collective efforts for women empowerment which, he said, is pre-requisite for growth and development of a society. “A society based on equality without giving preferential treatment to any gender is considered an ideal society,” maintained the Minister while calling for an attitudinal change towards the power and potential of women.The Minister was addressing a function organized by District Administration, Samba in connection with Laadli Beti Diwas under ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ initiative and culmination of Swachch Shakti Saptah under Swachch Bharat Mission on the occasion of International Women's day.
Minister of State for Horticulture, Education, Tourism and Floriculture Priya Sethi, MLA Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal, District Development Commissioner, Sheetal Nanda and other officers of district administration were also present on the occasion.Lauding the role of females, Ganga said with the changing times the role of women in society has multiplied and they are performing the assigned roles with utmost dedication. From managing home, the role of females has grown multitudes and now big multinationals are being run by womenfolk, he added.
While referring to the initiatives undertaken by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, for ensuring empowerment of women and girl child, Ganga said the PM has already ensured that the Beti Bacho Beti Padho scheme is implemented in the mission mode so that the girl child gets benefitted from this landmark scheme.Priya Sethi, while speaking on the occasion, said that the government will continue to support women’s initiatives in achieving their aspirations besides contributing towards country’s growth. “We should encourage the thought that our families should do everything to protect and nurture the girl child,” the Minister said. She added that government is according due recognition to women’s role and contribution towards the society to encourage them participate in every sphere of life.MLA Samba also spoke on the occasion. While applauding the role of District Administration and its entire machinery, he mentioned all the schemes related to females being run by the Central Government as well as Government of J&K for information of all present and requested that all should take maximum benefit of such schemes.
The DC informed about various initiatives being taken up by the district administration for promoting interests of girl child through various activities like celebration of Ladli Beti Diwas, Dogri Ringtone, Facebook Page, hoardings, wall paintings, special awareness van, self defence trainings, career guidance programmes etc. She added that district’s sex ratio has increased from 787 in 2011 to 895 in 2016. Besides, a special fund has been created in the district with voluntary contributions from officers, industrialists, business houses for help to destitute and orphan girls, she added. She also said informed that gudda guddi board for monitoring of sex ratio has been provided to all 99 Panchayats which act as awareness tool within Panchayat for all to know the sex ratio of the Panchayat. She also informed about several activities conducted under the Swachh Shakti Saptah which concluded here today. She said that two panchayats of the District namely Jakh and Chachwal have been declared as ODF.
The Annual Report on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao activities undertaken by the District Administration in the year 2016-17 was released by the dignitaries. Sanitary Napkins vending machines purchased under BBBP campaign by the District Administration were given to seven schools to create and enabling hygienic environment for girl students . Ladies from two households which have constructed toilets without government help, Girl child mothers, Ladies from NGOs, Lady GRS, Anganwadi workers, Asha workers and volunteers who have contributed to the cause of cleanliness and women empowerment were felicitated by the dignitaries. Lastly, the dignitaries flagged off vehicles for driving classes for needy girls arranged free of cost by District Administration under BBBP.