Srinagar, Mar 7: International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually all over the world on March 8, to recognize the achievements and contributions of women to society. The history of IWD can be traced back to the early 1900s when women in different countries began to organize and agitate for their rights, including the right to vote, work, and receive an education.
To commemorate the day in consonance with world-wide celebrations, Kashmir witnessed various functions being organized across length and breadth.
Events were organized at North Campus of Kashmir University Delina, Baramulla, Women’s College M.A Road Srinagar, among others. The programs were organized to raise awareness about the importance of women in society.
A function was also organized at the Women’s College Srinagar, where Jammu and Kashmir Director of Colleges, Dr Yasmeen Ashaee, said that the commemoration of the day is important on its own.
Ashaee remarked that there is a rise in domestic violence in Jammu and Kashmir even as other heinous crimes are also witnessing a surge.
“We should let our daughters be educated and we should make them aware of their legal rights and responsibilities. We should make them responsible and socially productive. We should also teach our girls about equality and equity. A girl should be involved in all the major decisions in her house just like others”, Ashaee as per GNS said.
“There will be no change in society until you change your mind set. As a parent, you should know that education is not only for all-round development but also for all-round empowerment. We are still fighting for equality because, over the years, people have thought that a male is superior to a female. But it will end soon,” she added.
The Deputy Superintendent DYSP, Syed Sleet Shah, who spoke to GNS, extended the warmest greetings to all the women who break the glass ceiling in today’s world, and to the men who support their journey of inclusion and acknowledgement.
In the meantime, a female journalist, pleading anonymity, told GNS that things have changed altogether in Kashmir. “No doubt, media provided me a platform to express myself but also helped me to prove my identity and move beyond victimhood discourse. However, we are living in an era where each and every word of your news item matters,” she said.
When asked about the role that female journalists’ play in Kashmir, she said that “Despite several odds and unstable circumstances, women in journalism are striving hard to emerge as strong personalities on the frontline, as they have been successful in racking up several international accolades and awards for their coverage.
“Being a female journalist in Kashmir is challenging in itself, but female journalists’ continue to work amid the harassment, intimidation, and prejudice of our conservative society,” she added.
Meanwhile the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha also greeted people on International Women’s day.
“This year’s theme gives us the opportunity to celebrate Women’s invaluable contribution in the making of digital society. It is time to do more to eradicate the gender gap in digital access and make it safer, inclusive and equitable”, Sinha said.
“Women have made an invaluable contribution to the socio-economic development of J&K UT. It is our collective responsibility to encourage their participation at all levels in economic development and create an ecosystem that ensures security, honour and respect of women in society,” he said.
“Let us resolve to redouble efforts for an equitable digital future and Women’s active participation in nation building,” he added. (GNS)
