The District Administration Bandipora celebrated the International Women’s Day across the district by holding seminars and awareness programmes.
A grand seminar was organised at Mini Secretariat Bandipora, wherein female experts from various backgrounds spoke about a range of topics. A website of Mahila Shakti Kendra was also launched at the event.
The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad who was chief guest on the occasion spoke about the rights of women and performance of the district administration in implementing the several women centric welfare schemes that are aimed at providing handholding to the women to make them self-reliant and also assured the support of district administration in every endeavor that will 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 asked for changing age old notions by bringing the social re-orientation in addition to bringing their economic and political upliftment.
Dr Owais said the district administration facilitated to link the Self Help Groups with Online shopping agency amazon so that they can directly sell the product to the customers across the country.
He said the Panchayat Development Index launched in 2020 to measure the development at grassroots level by measuring the basic indictors of development and also collects data on women’s health, nutrition, and education. He said experts study these indicators and take decisions accordingly to improve the quality of life.
While throwing light on this year’s theme, “Break the bias”, 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 the motivating the girls and women to excel in non conventional fields like Engineering, Technology, Sports etc.
He congratulated the women folk of Bandipora for succeeding in various fields including sports academics, entrepreneurship, and other fields. He said women are climbing up the ladder, competing with men in almost all fields. He extended his greetings and best wishes to all women on the eve of International Women’s Day.
Later, the DC launched the dedicated web portal of Mahila Shakti Kendra Bandipora. The website will provide information regarding women specific schemes. The portal will also be hosting the success stories of women in various fields. A tab hosting women Star of the Month has also been added wherein women having excellent contributions in any field will be hosted for wider outreach and inspiring others.
The portal shall also provide a platform for showcasing products of Self Help Groups of NRLM and other women SHGs. The portal has also been integrated with helpline numbers for sharing of any grievances/ complaints or feedback for improving the implementation of women centric schemes. A live link has also been provided on the website through which people can contribute articles, paintings, and short videos on this years’ theme “Break the Bias”.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad said that the district administration has taken several measures to ensure the safety and security of women besides their socio-economic empowerment.
Secretary/ Sub judge District Legal Services Authority Bandipora Fariqa Nazir also spoke on the occasion and said Breaking the Bias means that women have to make efforts for their own cause and stand up for themselves. She said women can not wait for anyone to help as it is the woman who has to break the bias, She added
A skit regarding the importance of girls’ education and various schemes related to the education of girls was also presented by students of Girls High School Kaloosa.
On the occasion, the DC also distributed pension sanction letters among beneficiary women.
Dr. Owais also launched a Book Parvaz compiled by MSK, highlighting the women welfare schemes in each department. He also launched a special survey to assess the female literacy rate in the district.
Members of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao committee, including Dr Nuzhat Wali, Dr Asima, Dr Sabiya, Dr Nisar Ah Parra, and Miss Aabida also spoke on the occasion.
The day was also celebrated across all the schools of the District and at Sub Division Sumbal and Gurez.
