Women empowerment imperative for social development: Mehbooba

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said women empowerment is imperative for the development of the society.

Jammu, Dec 7: Asserting that empowerment of women is imperative for the development of the society, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said the government has launched many schemes and programmes for their welfare.

She said the state Government has flagged women's welfare as a priority area and efforts are being made to achieve the targets in this regard.

Mehbooba was addressing a public meeting here this afternoon after interacting with members of women Self Help Groups (SHGs) set up under 'UMEED' programme under J-K Rural Livelihood Mission.

She said the state government has launched a scheme called Ladli Beti to support and finance the expenses of girl child. Similarly,the government has introduced women's police stations in many districts of the state for the speedy disposal of cases of crime against women.

The Chief Minister said the government contemplates to set up a Maternity & Child health centre along a hospital in every area of the state so that women in far flung places don't have to travel miles for their treatment.

She said recently the government launched a 'scooty scheme' for girl students to encourage the meritorious ones and equip them with exclusive transportation. An exclusive bus service for women was introduced to give the working women and students a secure atmosphere not only at workplace but on roads and in travel also, she added.

Mehbooba complimented the Self Help Group (SHG) members for contributing positively to their families and the society. She said possibilities would be explored that these SHGs get the requisite market support and their products are sold across the country at good prices. Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh in his address termed the 'Umeed scheme' as a good beginning for the economic empowerment of rural women.

PTI