O P Sharma
Jammu and Kashmir like other parts of the country and across the globe celebrate International Women’s Day, with great enthusiasm. The women of this sensitive State are endeavouring to surge forward in all spheres of life as equal partners of men folk.
With substantial spread of education and awakening, the women in this part of the country are striving hard for justice—political, social and economic. They are entering the portals of jobs earlier denied to them and are making impressive headway with fruitful dividend to the society.
Gender Justice
In a special interview on the eve of Women’s Day, Shamima Firdous, Chairperson, J&K Women Commission enumerated the initiatives being taken to ameliorate the lot of women by tackling their problems, ensuring female education, promote gender justice in socio-economic fields and encouraging their empowerment. She spoke at length about the role of the Commission in overall forward movement of women, who constitute nearly half of the population. In addition, the Commission has been tasked to sensitize the society about the women issues and concerns, find solution to their various problems with the result that their progress is gathering momentum.
The history of celebration of Women’s Day goes backed to early 1900’s in the industrialized world. Gradually the idea ignited the entire comity of nations with India too joining the campaign for bettering the conditions and status of women. How could Jammu and Kashmir lag behind in such progressive ideology?
In Jammu and Kashmir numerous programmes have been chalked out to celebrate the achievements of women as also firmly resolving to remain vigilant and committed for sustainable change in future. Women in India including Jammu and Kashmir are striving and championing for their noble cause of peace, progress and prosperity as also their empowerment, dignity, safety and security.
Promises to Keep
The theme for 2013 is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”. While last year, the theme was “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures” which supported the United Nation’s (UN) first International Day of the Girl celebrated on October 11, 2012. Previous United Nation International Women’s Day themes: 2012: Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty, in 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology while for 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all and during 2009 the theme was : Women and men united to end violence against women and girls and for 2008: Investing in Women and Girls. The women have played crucial role in bringing much-needed peace in Jammu and Kashmir and worked for a secure future.
The Indian Constitution envisions equality before law, socio-economic justice and no discrimination on the basis of caste, colour, creed or gender. Likewise, Jammu and Kashmir’s Constitution is also committed to welfare of women and children and recognizes the rights of women. Apart from numerous development projects and welfare schemes tailored to meet the special needs, the J&K State Women Commission has been setup which is playing a pivotal role in upliftment of women in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Towards Dignity, Safety
Dr Shabnam Qazi, a professional medical practitioner, has pleaded for due status to women in the society. A teacher Sandeep Dalotra opines that men and women have to jointly create a new society with gender justice and provision of adequate opportunities of advancement. A creative writer Yash Bakshi is all for equality, dignity and opportunities for all human beings.
Tejsavi, a college student has dreams of an ideal society without any violence against women or discrimination of any sort. She strongly argued that due attention must be paid to provision of adequate allocations for tackling gender-specific programmes.
Agenda for Action
Sapna Mehta, a law student is for strictest measures against those involved in sexual assault or abuse on women for creating a congenial atmosphere so that women can work or move about without any fear or hassles. For India to become a Super Power, both males and females have to make united and sustained efforts.
Though much has been done for the women in Jammu and Kashmir but still much more needs to be done to pull them out of superstition, discrimination and denial of opportunities and at the same time provide congenial environ of safety, security and dignity.
(Starline Syndicate Service)
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