Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 20: Convenor of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative in Jammu and Kashmir, Ritika Trehan, today called on Member Parliament and former chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Rekha Sharma in Jammu and held a detailed discussion on strengthening the implementation of the flagship campaign across the Union Territory.
The meeting focused on reviewing ongoing initiatives under BBBP and identifying key gaps to enhance outreach, particularly in rural and far-flung areas. Trehan highlighted several pressing challenges faced by women at the grassroots level, including limited access to education, inadequate awareness about Government welfare schemes, and persistent socio-cultural barriers affecting gender equality.
Emphasizing the need for a coordinated and multi-stakeholder approach, Trehan called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and civil society organizations to ensure effective execution of women-centric policies. She also sought guidance on innovative strategies and policy interventions to further consolidate the impact of BBBP in J&K.
During the interaction, Trehan also took a political stand, criticizing the Indian National Congress for its alleged lack of support to the Women’s Reservation Bill during the recent special session of Parliament. She termed the opposition’s stance as “anti-women,” asserting that resistance to political reservation undermines efforts to ensure adequate representation of women. She stressed that political empowerment is as crucial as social and economic upliftment in achieving gender equality.
Responding to the concerns, Rekha Sharma underscored the importance of sustained awareness campaigns, legal literacy, and robust institutional mechanisms to safeguard women’s rights. She noted that true empowerment can only be realized through a combination of education, skill development, and economic independence, especially at the grassroots level.
Both leaders also deliberated on broader aspects of women empowerment, including safety, access to justice, and enhanced participation of women in governance and decision-making. They reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying efforts for the holistic development of women and girls in J&K, ensuring that flagship programmes like BBBP translate into tangible and inclusive outcomes on the ground.
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