Two-day training programme for the Counselors of Family Counseling Centres was inaugurated by the Chairperson J&K State Social Welfare Board, Dr. (Prof) Nirmal Gupta at Institute of Management and Public Administration (IMPA) Jammu.Around 30 women Counselors from Family Counseling Centres (FCCs) sponsored by Central Social Welfare Board, Ministry of Women & Child Development and J&K State Social Welfare Board participated in the programme. The participants were from Punjab, Chandigarh and J&K State Social Welfare Board.The Family Counseling Centres have been setup to settle matrimonial cases and to provide counseling, referral and rehabilitation services to women who are in danger within the family or society at large, including those affected by disputes, marital discords or maladjustments. The objective of the training program was to familiarize these Counselors with the concept of women empowerment.
The Course Coordinator Dr. (Prof) Sunita Zalpuri, said the participants about conceptual background of women empowerment and Panchayati Raj System and theoretical framework on women empowerment. She also explained about feminism, Rights of Women, Gender Budgeting, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Self Help Groups, Role of NGOs and Panchayat Raj Institutions in Women’s Upliftment, as well as about schemes and policies for weaker sections, especially women.The valedictory session was chaired by Executive Director & Secretary, J&K State Social Welfare Board Shahid Mehmood, who spoke about various measures taken by Government and especially Social Welfare Board for empowerment of women. He also emphasized on creating awareness amongst general public about various schemes and programs meant for the empowerment of women in J&K.Later, Secretary, State Social Welfare Board and the Course Coordinator distributed participation certificates amongst the trainees.