International Womens Day-2021 celebrated across Kashmir
Srinagar: In connection with International Womens Day, celebrated on 8th of March every year, a number of functions to commemorate this day were today held across all the districts of Kashmir division.
On the occasion, seminars, debates and other related programmes were organized besides women achievers were also felicitated by the respective district administrations.
At Srinagar, the District Level Centre for Women, Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Srinagar, in collaboration with Srinagar Smart City Limited today organised a function to celebrate International Womens Day at Government College for Women (GCW) Nawakadal, here.
The Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary, who is also Chairman MSK Srinagar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Srinagar Smart City Limited was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Shahid lauded the efforts of the women for their accomplishments in varied sectors, he praised female Covid warriors including medic staff, paramedic, education, ICDS, Social Welfare and others for playing key roles in Covid mitigation efforts and vaccination process.
The DC said that the present Government is making concerted efforts to empower the women folk by giving them reservation in every field of life including in public representation.
He said on International Womens Day various debates and seminars on women empowerment and womens rights are being conducted, this is an important aspect through which awareness among people regarding women empowerment, rights, health / legal services and skill development under Centrally Sponsored Schemes etc. is raised.
He also said that if we delve deep into all the religious teachings, they all teach us to work for the betterment of the women folk, promote women empowerment and safeguard their rights.
The DC Srinagar assured the support of District Administration in every endeavor that will promote women empowerment. He also appreciated the work and dedication of MSK staff from the last 2 years.
On the occasion, Principal of the College, Dr Tabasum Rafiq presented the Presidential address. The District Program Officer (DPO), ICDS Srinagar, Zeenat Ara also spoke on the occasion.
Later, a DLCW booklet was launched by the DC Srinagar to publicise some of the events conducted by (DLCW) – MSK Srinagar.
The book launch was followed by distribution of mementos. The DC on the occasion presented Certificate of Appreciation to District Level Centre for Women MSK Srinagar for successful completion of 2 years and launching of achievement booklet, besides to Women Welfare officer MSK Srinagar Ruqaya Aashraf, District Coordinator MSK Srinagar Deeba, District Coordinator Rehana.
Among others, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Principal GCW Nawakadal, Ms Bilques Jan Deputy Director Kashmir, Mohd Yaseen Lone Chief Planning officer, DPO ICDS Srinagar, Students and Staff of college besides officers and officials of MSK Sgr were present on the occasion.
At Budgam: The District Legal Services Authority Budgam in collaboration with District Administration today organized a mega seminar at Sheikh-ul-Alam hall, here.
Principal District and Sessions Judge (PD&SJ) Budgam Raja Shujat Ali Khan was the Chief Guest while District Development Commissioner (DDC) Budgam, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza and SSP Budgam Amod Ashok Nagpure were Guest of Honor.
Speaking on the occasion, PD&SJ said that we have assembled here to celebrate this day to highlight the importance and significance of the womens role in developing the prosperous and respectable society.
He said women with their sheer grit, dedication and determination have achieved their goals. They over the years are attempting to breach all types of gender stereotypes.
He said women need to be empowered at par with men they have the capacity, capability and even talent to demonstrate with enormous success in every field, whether it may be running government, bureaucracy or sports. Even in the business sector, in the recent past women have emerged more successful entrepreneurs than the opposite gender.
The DDC in his speech on the occasion said that gender inequality is a phenomenon where representation of women in major socio economic sectors is marginalized. He said women need to be empowered in every aspect as they have the potential to change and create an everlasting impact on society.
The SSP said that empowering women will bring in her intrinsic capability, greater self confidence and an inner transformation, consciousness that enables her to overcome external barriers or social disparity.
He urged upon the women folk to be brave, come forward and report against violence, any gender inequality, domestic abuses and harassment women are facing. He said there are laws and rules for the subject and safeguard this gender.
The other speakers present on the occasion also included DSWO, Dr. Farhana Asgar who spoke about celebrating this day.
Earlier DLSA Budgam flagged off Pink Marathon participated by a huge gathering of girl students carrying banners and placards depicting and demonstrating the importance of celebrating this day.
During the proceeding girl students from IPTC High School Khansahab presented and performed programmes consisting of new skits, debates, cultural shows relating to today’s theme receiving huge rounds of applause and praise.
At Pulwama: Tehsil Legal Services Committee Pampore and ELFA International organized an Awareness Programme on ‘International Womens Day’ today at Government Degree College Pampore.
District Development Commissioner Dr Raghav Langer was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occassion, the DDC said that International Womens Day is meant to uphold feminist values and to celebrate the great achievements of women and contributions they have made to the nation as well as world.
He stressed on organising special Campaigns across the district to spread awareness about women literacy and rights provided to them by the constitution of India.
Chairperson TLSC Pampore, Nusrat Ali Hakak and Principal GDC Pampore Prof Seema Naaz highlighted the measures taken for improving their lot and making them educated and self-reliant while as various speakers, students also threw light on the role and importance of women in the society adding that they owe great responsibility in the social set up.
The programme was attended by Secretary DLSA Pulwama ,Khurshid-Ul-Islam Counsellor from Belgium Yasmin Salma, Superintendent of Police (SP Security) Nighat Amaan, Coordinator WSC Prof. Alam Ara Shah & Para-Legal Volunteers.
Similar function was organized by NABARD in collaboration with NRLM and JKRLM at ACD office Pulwama during which an interactive session of SHGs with District Development Commissioner Pulwama was held.
While interacting with the SHGs members, Dr Raghav highlighted the role of women in socio- economic development and said that in the present day world, women are excelling in every field and are treading new paths to achieve socio-political and economic empowerment.
Later, successful SHGs were felicitated on the occasion.
ACD Pulwama Block Programme Manager and members of SHGs among others were present on the occasion.
Similarly District Programme Office (ICDS) Pulwama in collaboration with the Health and Education department today organised a grand function to celebrate International Women’s Day at Circuit House Pulwama.
At Shopian: On the eve of International Womens Day a grand function was today organised at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, here.
The District Development Commissioner, Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
The DDC inaugurated and inspected various stalls installed by various Self Help Groups, Handicrafts and other departments to mark the day.
While speaking on the occasion, the DDC highlighted the role and importance of women in nation building and also stressed upon the
Self-Help Groups to come forward and establish more and more such groups under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to enable them to stand on their own legs and earn their livelihood under the Umeed Scheme.
He appreciated the initiative of NRLM for making efforts for educating and motivating Self-Help Groups to establish their Units.
The DDC appreciated the efforts of NRLM in organising such events for serving the Women Community. He emphasised upon women in particular to come forward and work unitedly to secure their rights for socio-economic empowerment.
The speakers highlighted the schemes and programmes launched by their departments for welfare and overall development of women.
Later, SHGs performed various songs highlighting the importance of the role played by women in the society.
Lead Bank Manager, Block Manager NRLM, Shopian and other concerned officers and officials and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in large numbers were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a similar function on International Womens Day was organised by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Shopian in collaboration with Government Degree College (GDC) Shopian here.
The seminar was held under the Patronage of Chairman District Legal Services Authority, Shopian.
Speaking on the occasion Secretary DLSA Shopian, Feroz Ahmad Khan highlighted the purpose and objective of Womens Day Celebration and interacted with the female students of the College.
While addressing the audience, he said that each day is a womens day because women are working round the clock whether at home or workplace. He stressed the students to come out of their cocoons and encouraged them to highlight their issues.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sanna Khalid highlighted various issues of women folk and said that all the stakeholders of the society should work for achieving gender equality in the day to day life.
Dr. Irfana Majid, Head, Department of Botany, Advocate John Mohammad and Advocate Zubair Ahmad Parray from the Bar Association Shopian also spoke on the occasion.
Besides the College Principal, College Staff, Advocates, DLSA Staff, Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) and a large number of female students were present on the occasion.
At Bandipora: The District Administration Bandipora on Monday celebrated the International Women’s Day by organizing a seminar at Mini Secretariat here
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Additional Deputy Commissioner Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad, Chief Education Officer Bandipora Javid Iqbal and other senior officers besides a mixed audience of men and women were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Owais talked about the rights of women and highlighted the significance of International Women’s Day.
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 asked for changing age old notions by bringing the social re-orientation in addition to bringing their economic and political upliftment.
He reiterated that to make women economically independent, self-reliant and self-sufficient it is of utmost importance to conduct gender sensitization of all the stakeholders in society and by motivating the girls and women to excel in non conventional fields like Engineering, Technology, Sports etc.
ADC Bandipora Zahoor Ahmad Mir on the occasion highlighted the performance of the district administration in implementing the several women centric welfare schemes that are aimed at providing hand holding to the women to make them self-reliant.
Coordinator MSK, Syeda Ayesha enumerated the achievements of the Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) that is functional in Mini- Secretariat Bandipora.
Earlier, the DC felicitated 11 girl student toppers and 10 tribal girl student toppers of Annual Class 10th exams by providing a cash prize of Rs 9000 and an appreciation certificate. He also felicitated five girls for meritorious performance in various sports activities by providing a cash prize of Rs 5000 and an appreciation certificate.
The five schools were also felicitated for meritorious performance in terms of pass percentage of girls students in Annual Class 10th by providing a School grant of Rs 10000 for educational needs of girl students and an appreciation certificate for the school. Five Girls for best painting on the theme, “My Idea of an Empowered Women” during online painting competition were also felicitated by providing a cash prize of Rs 2000 and an appreciation certificate.
Similar function was also organized at Govt Boys High School Bagh and at Div Sumbal that was presided over by Dr Bashir Ahmad Lone, SDM Sumbal along with officers of Education Department, ICDS, Social Welfare and others
At Kupwara: The District Administration Kupwara in collaboration with Director Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), Kupwara organised an impressive function to mark the International Womens Day, today at Town Hall, here.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Imam Din was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the DC said that the present Government is making concerted efforts to empower the women folk by giving them reservation in every field of life including in public representation. He said during the DDC and BDC elections women were given reservation.
The DC gave the historical background of the skill development and said that in Japan there is an inbuilt mechanism of skill development in their educational policy adding that, the New Education Policy of our country possesses all features which include skill development programme also.
He urged upon the women folk to come forward and take advantage of the innovative schemes envisaged for women empowerment and become the ‘employment givers’ rather than ‘employment seekers’.
The DC said that history is full of events about the achievement made by women who excelled in various walks of life and got Nobel Prizes. He mentioned the name of Mother Teressa and asked young girls to read out the biographies of women achievers and leaders for their personal inspiration for achieving new goals in life.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kupwara also spoke and emphasized the role of women empowerment. He said Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is an ambitious programme for women empowerment.
Earlier, Director JSS Kupwara (Ministry of Skill Development), Dr. Mohammad Iqbal briefed about the Jan Shikshan Sansthan and Skill Development. He said JSS Kupwara, is providing Vocational Skill training to 1800 beneficiaries every year in various trades like Handicrafts, Embroidery, Fashion Designing, Electrician, Frontline Health Worker, Nursery Grower, Plumbing, Crewel Work, Tilla Work, Knitting, Computer, Food Craft etc.
He said over 2000 girls who have got training in different courses are working or earning their livelihood.
The Army Brigadier, Manoj Joshi, ADC Kupwara, Nazir Ahmad Lone, Chief Education Officer Kupwara, Abdul Hamid Fani, Director JSS Kupwara, District Information Officer, Kupwara, Mohammad Yousuf Mir, other concerned officers and a large number of women entrepreneurs and young girls participated in the function.
At Kulgam: On eve of international Womens Day today JKRLM (UMEED) Kulgam organised District Level Mela at Mini-Secretariat here.
The Mela was inaugurated by District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kulgam, Showkat Ajaz Bhat, who was also the Chief Guest on the occasion.
On the occasion it was informed that JKRLM (UMEED) program was launched in district Kulgam in phased manner and presently 2315 SHGs are functional in district covering 19351 households.
The DDC also inspected various stalls which were established during the Mela showcasing the handmade and other products of SHGs.
Speaking on the occasion, the DDC highlighted the role of women in changing and transformation of societies and said that women in present time are leading and serving at different positions.
He also congratulated the girls who recently passed different examinations with flying colors.
Several participants also spoke on the occasion and shared their success stories.
Focus of today’s event remained on Sustainable livelihoods, Gender equality, FNHW, Girl education, financial literacy of women and empowerment and development of women in other fields.
The programme was attended by ACR Kulgam, District officers of Horticulture, Social Welfare and ICDS, LDM, besides Block Program Manager, SHG members and cadre.