Legal awareness programme for women organized in Anantnag

ANANTNAG, MAY 24: The Jammu & Kashmir State Commission for Women (JKSCW), in collaboration with the National Commission for Women, New Delhi, today organized a legal awareness programme at Dak Bungalow here.

Chairperson JKSCW Nayeema Ahmad Mehjoor and Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Mohammad Younis Malik were present on the occasion.

Nayeema Mehjoor while speaking on the occasion said that women of the district have offered significant contributions towards the development of the State in various fields of life, citing the example of the current and first woman Chief Minister of the State Mehbooba Mufti who also hails from the district.

She said the women must hone their talents and aspire to contribute to the overall development of the society, adding that a strong society is built only when women work neck and neck with men.

Mehjoor said the Commission has launched a vigorous outreach programme during which the women folk are being made aware about their legal rights and means to address issues confronting them. She emphasized the need to empower women from their homes by providing them equal opportunities in all aspects of life.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Younis Malik lauded the Commission for organizing such a programme in the district. He said there is a need to make women aware of their rights as enshrined in the constitution giving special rights to them for their overall development.

Malik said dozens of welfare schemes for women empowerment and development have been implemented in the district in letter and spirit, adding that some 3000 self-help groups comprising 28000 women have been established for the welfare of women.

Resource persons present on the occasion also delivered lectures on various spheres of women rights and other legal aspects. Issues spoken about included the social status of women, gender-based and sexual violence and domestic violence act.

Participants of the programme also interacted with experts, shared their experiences and asked questions regarding the legal rights of women and other related issues on the occasion.

A short film regarding sexual abuse at workplaces was also screened on the occasion.