Chairperson, J&K State Commission for Protection of Women and Child Rights Vasundhara Pathak Masoodi while highlighting the importance of economic empowerment of women said that women should stand in unison with each other and help provide opportunities to their fraternity so that they could grow and progress in every sphere of life.The Chairperson was speaking at a function organized by Department of Commerce, Gargi College, University of Delhi today. The theme of the programme was “Economic Empowerment of Women” – A reality or myth.Sharing her experience of life, the Chairperson said by profession she is a lawyer and has been actively involved in Social cause. She dwelt in detail how she established her independent practice and further expressed that she was uncompromisingly fighting for the protection of rights of women, children and labour class at various forums and platforms. She vehemently supported equal rights for all the women and took up the cause of fighting against gender discrimination, domestic violence, sexual exploitation at workplace, child marriage and defended rights of acid attack victims, she said and added that she impressed upon the government about the dire need to control and regulate the easy availability of acid in the market. She said that she strongly believes that by spreading awareness among women and children about their legal rights, the injustice meted out against this vulnerable class of society could be effectively prevented.
The Chairperson stressed that the quid pro quo for economic empowerment is realization of self confidence, motivation and commitment. She also emphasized that the key to success is to recognize opportunity in every adversity. She underscored the fact that a woman is a reservoir of perseverance, dedication, power and endurance and she just needs to recognize her hidden qualities and tap unutilized potential to convert it into capability and better performance in life.She also emphasized upon the need for economic empowerment of women by ensuring her equal opportunities of growth and development and said that gender equality remains the greater human rights challenge of present times. She also expressed that economic empowerment is a uniquely potent way for women to achieve greater control over their own lives. While speaking on the occasion, she stressed on importance of shaping micro-economic policies to support inclusive growth and ensure that women entrepreneurs have access to technology and finance as better economic status of women paves way to better economic status of the country with better and increased GDP. She also highlighted the role of legal instruments and convention in protecting the rights and economic interest of women.The programme was attended by Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Recipient, Dr. Shyaama Chona, Principal, Gargi College, Dr. Promila Kumar, Board Member & Advisor Kotler Impact, Inc. Dr. Somdutta and Co-Founder of BABA’s BEANS, Gargi Alumna Mrinal Sharma. Besides professors, large number of students and some other dignitaries attended the programme.