Terming that the society cannot make any progress without empowered women, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma on Monday launched eight pro-women schemes of the Punjab government to mark the International Women's Day on Monday in the district. Participating in a video-conference presided by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner said that under these newly schemes include181 Saanjh Shakti Helpline and Police Helpdesks which would be set up in the police stations for women and also to be operated by women for prompt and sensitive response to crimes against women.He said that MOUs have been signed with UN Women, UNDP (United Nations Development Fund), UN Population Fund, J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) and FUEL (Friends Union for Energizing Lives). He told that MoU with UN Women would initiate gender-focused projects, capacity building of the state on gender, economic empowerment of women and violence against women besides would begin a Technical Fest (Techshiksha) with UN body, under which the shortlisted girls will undergo a training programme besides providing placements to them. The MoU with UN Population Fund aims for capacity building of government departments, besides elimination of gender-based harmful practices such as violence against women and girls, and gender-based sex selection, partnering with UNDP to eliminate anemia & malnutrition among women & children.
Sharma also stated that MoU with J-PAL would further boost gender sensitization curriculum program in all government schools, while the MoU with FUEL will impart skills to the youth in line with the Ghar Ghar Rozgar scheme.The Deputy Commissioner said that each year on March 8, International Women's Day is observed to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women and commemorate women, who despite various challenges posed by society have proven their mettle in every area.Adding that women only need motivation to make a mark in every sphere, he said that women have been instrumental in social-economic progress of the country.Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner also honoured 11 Asha workers who have carried out intensive awareness activities under Mission Fateh program, two girls Sportspersons, two girls for cleaning competitive exams, two women sarpanchs, two ANMs, and two meritorious girl students Prominent among present on the occasion included Punjab Youth Development Board chairman Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, PMIDB Chairman Amarjit Singh Tikka, PSIDC Chairman KK Bawa, Backfinco vice chairman Mohd Gulab, DCC (Urban) president Ashwani Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Sandeep Kumar, Nitin Tandon, besides several others.