JAMMU: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah today asked women to gear up for the panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir, saying 33 per cent reservation will enable their larger involvement in decision making in the democratic institutions at the grass roots level.
“Panchayats are key to political empowerment of women”, Abdullah said while addressing a day-long women convention at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here this evening.
The convention was organized by the former MLA Bimla Luthra.
Abdullah favoured larger role for women in shaping the destiny of the society and the state, saying panchayats and local bodies’ institutions could be catalyst of change in this regard.
The former Chief Minister said that women continue to suffer from discrimination, and conditions were required to be created for their growth as equal partners in the decision making.
“A beginning has to be made by women themselves for their empowerment and economic emancipation,” he said and urged the opinion leaders among women to fan out in their areas and identify public-spirited candidates for the elections. (AGENCIES)
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