District administration Bandipora celebrated International Women’s Day by organizing a seminar at Government Girls Secondary School, Bandipora, here today.A plantation drive and awareness rally was also organized on the occasion.Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, Zahoor Ahmad Mir was chief guest on the occasion while Joint Director Planning, Imtiyaz Ahmad and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Srinagar (West) Hameeda Akhthar were guests of honor.The programme was organized by the District administration in collaboration with Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK).The Principal GGHSS, Rafiq Ahmad Parray, Career Counseling Officer, Saima Bhat, Cordinators MSK, Sumaya Muzzafar and Aisha Shafi were also present on the occasion.The program was organized in continuation to the Swachta Pakhwada being celebrated by the district administration. Speaking on the occasion ADC Bandipora highlighted rights of women and significance of International Women’s Day.He also highlighted the performance of the district administration in implementing women centric welfare schemes that are aimed at providing handholding to the women to make them self-reliant. He assured that district administration will make every effort to promote women empowerment.He said that it is not the day just to commemorate the achievements of women but to analyze and diagnose the reasons behind the helplessness of women in the society and stressed for changing age old notions by re-orienting social norms.He reiterated the importance of gender sensitization of all the stakeholders in society to ensure the real empowerment of women.
Speaking on the occasion Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad said that the district administration is taking measures to ensure safety and security of women besides their socio-economic empowerment.He said during the current financial year the district administration made One-Stop Centre- Sakhi functional at Nishat Park Bandipora that aims to provide an array of services from medical, legal to psychological assistance to violence affected women under one roof. He said the centre is exclusively for women and is being run by the female staff to serve the women in distress.He said Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) was also made functional in Mini- Secretariat Bandipora that aims to empower rural women through community participation and to create an environment in which they realize their full potential.“It provides an interface for rural women to approach the government for availing their entitlements and empowering them through training and capacity building,” he added.Sub-Divisional Magistrate Srinagar (West) Hameeda Akhthar also spoke on the occasion.Earlier the students expressed their views about the women’s rights. A group of students present a skit highlighting the importance of women education and the issues faced by them owing to different social taboos.The performance received a huge appreciation from the audience and Joint Director Planning announced a prize of Rs 40,000 to the group.A rally was also organized to highlight the importance of Girl Education and specially designed posters under Beti Bachav Beti Padav scheme were pasted on vehicles.Similar programs were held in various schools of the district.