JAMMU,17-08-2023 : The Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir Unit has called upon the central and state governments to demonstrate a serious commitment towards the rights, security, and empowerment of half the population by urgently addressing the matter.
Addressing a press conference at Party’s State Office in Jammu today, Manish Sahni State President stated that slogans like “Bahut Hua Nari Par War” have proved to be a jumla regarding the safety and empowerment of women in Jammu and Kashmir.
After abrogation of Article 370, the reinstatement of women’s equal property rights was celebrated superficially, as concrete measures for women’s rights, security, and empowerment have not been taken in Jammu and Kashmir over the past four years. Highlighting the alarming number of over 10,000 missing women from the region since 2019, Sahni underscored the prevalent domestic violence, mental anguish, and insecurity faced by women, reflecting the dire need for immediate attention.
Sahni said that on February 8, 2022, the reconstitution of the defunct Jammu and Kashmir State Commission for Women was announced , despite the passage of 18 months, the State Women’s Commission remains non-operational at the ground level. He also highlighted that out of the total population of more than a 1.25 crore residing across 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir, women’s police stations are present in only four districts. The participation of women in police forces stands at a mere 3-4 percent.
Sahni revealed that the Jammu and Kashmir Government, despite its claims of women’s empowerment, is compromising women’s rights by only allocating a 15 percent quota for women in the police forces, whereas other states and union territories have quotas up to 33 percent.
Appealing to both the central and Jammu and Kashmir governments to prioritize women’s security and empowerment, Sahni called for an increase in the reservation of women in police forces, the establishment of active Women’s Commissions, the creation of district-level women’s police stations, and ensuring the presence of women’s desks at every police station.
Among those who were present in the press conference include Meenakshi Chibber and Sukhwinder kour.