Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Jan 28: Former Legislator and NC leader, Dr Shehnaz Ganai today said that empowerment of women was key to the economic development, growth and welfare of the society.
Addressing a large women convention at Poonch today, Dr Shehnaz highlighting the potential of rural women to improve the well-being of entire societies if given equal access to resources and set free from the discrimination and exploitation that holds them back. She emphasized the need to launch the fight for the `right campaign’ of women.
Dr Ganai said generally women get what is left behind and we need to change this mindset, as women and girls make up around half of our population and, yet they routinely figure at the bottom of every economic, social and political indicator, from income, education and health to participation in decision-making bodies, She maintained.
She said women’s equal participation in the political and economic arena is fundamental to democracy and justice, which people are demanding. She acknowledged that women are increasingly exercising greater influence in business, government, public administration and other professions. Also, more girls are going to school and are growing up healthier and better equipped to realize their potential.
“But, despite this momentum, there is a long way to go before women and girls can be said to enjoy the fundamental rights, freedom and dignity that are their birthright and that will guarantee their well-being,” Dr Ganai said.
The ex-MLC said that the for women empowerment and other women issues we have always been asking before the male dominated political parties to give due representation to females, and this mentality needs to be changed and we need to realize that no one is going to empower the women, it is we ourselves who have the power to empower our selves by coming out of our homes and join the fight for our right campaign, so that the women in the state are empowered enough to take their decisions independently in every field which our constitution also guarantees.
“In politics you have voted since independence to choose male leaders, but this time being the daughter of the soil, I have decided to contest the coming Assembly elections and shall be representing and shall become your voice in the Assembly, but for this you will have to carry forward this mission and spread the message in your communities about the vote for change and fight for right campaign,” said Dr Ganai.
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