Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) virtually joins celebrations of International Women’s Day 2024 Also launches Ladakh Citizens Help Hub.

Hon’ble Lt Governor Brig (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) virtually joins celebrations of International Women’s Day 2024
Also launches Ladakh Citizens Help Hub.
Leh, Mar 08, 2024: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), virtually joined the celebrations of the International Women’s Day 2024, which is celebrated every year on March 8, organised by the Department of Social and Tribal Welfare, UT Ladakh in collaboration with Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) and women’s wings of Ladakh Buddhist Association, Anjuman-e-Imamia and Anjuman Moin-ul Islam, in the Leh Main Market.
Wishing everyone, including the women achievers, on International Women’s Day, the HLG stated that the celebration of the day is important for society, for its people and for women’s power. The HLG shared that during his school days before India’s independence, there were hardly a few girls in the school and the absence of any separate toilet facilities for the girls. He informed about the prevalence of the slogan of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao in today’s world. He highlighted the importance of providing equal education, importance and status to women to ensure that society doesn’t remain stagnant.
Highlighting the importance of professing, practising and propagating women’s equality, the HLG stated that such programmes would raise awareness and take the women’s section forward. Stating that women are at the forefront in all fields, the HLG highlighted the introduction of the women’s reservation bill by the Government of India led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi according to which 33 per cent reservation would be provided to women in Lok Sabha and assemblies of states and union territories. He also stated that centuries ago, women were held in high regard but then social evils such as the dowry system, child marriage, etc. crept in. He further stated that these social evils were gradually eradicated from society because the people realised the importance of doing away with such social evils.
The HLG highlighted the need for the administration to provide facilities and ensure adequate mechanisms are in place so that incidents against women such as the one that took place in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal are avoided. It is the responsibility of each person in society to ensure that crime against women doesn’t take place, he also stated. He informed about various steps being taken to empower women such as screening for various diseases and exhibitions of products made by female artisans in the main market area during the International Women’s Day celebrations.
The HLG highlighted the sacrifices made by mothers for their children and the way to pay back to them for their sacrifices by empowering and taking our daughters and granddaughters forward. He stated that our society will develop only when the women section is empowered.
The HLG launched Ladakh Citizens Help Hub, a portal to register queries and grievances regarding the 20+ welfare schemes of the Social Welfare Department related to pensions, scholarships, child care institutions, Anganwadi centres, etc. A film on the portal was also screened on the occasion.
Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson congratulated everyone on the special occasion of International Women’s Day. He highlighted women’s role in the grassroots democratic set-ups with good representations in PRIs and Local Bodies in Ladakh. He added that the current government under the abled leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the historic Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in the parliament exhibiting the Union Government’s commitment towards the social and economic empowerment of women. Advocate Tashi Gyalson further added that he would introduce a similar resolution on the reservation of seats for women in the upcoming General Council Meet of the LAHDC Leh emphasising the importance of having adequate political space for women in the Hill Council.
Earlier, Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Social and Tribal Welfare, Smt Padma Angmo, welcomed the guests and highlighted various initiatives taken by the department to strengthen and empower women in Ladakh.
Five outstanding women outliers from Ladakh along with ICDS Project Kargil for 100% target achievement under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) were felicitated on the occasion. There was also a panel discussion on ‘Representation of Women in Politics in Ladakh with a focus on Women Reservation Bill 2023.’
There were performances by the Ladakh Police band, female artists of Ladakh and Anganwadi workers. Women achievers also shared their journey with the audience.
ADGP Ladakh, Dr SD Singh Jamwal, IPS; Commissioner/Secretary, Smt Padma Ango, IIS; Commissioner/Secretary, Shri Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan, IRS; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shri Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS; Director, Social Welfare Department, Smt Tashi Dolma, JKAS; HODs, government officials, women achievers and head of women wing of different religious organisations were present during the celebrations.