Panel to empower women in J&K

With a view to empower women in Jammu and Kashmir, the government has set up an authority in the state and appointed a high-level panel for its programme implementation.

The setting up of Jammu and Kashmir State Mission Authority for empowering women socially, economically and educationally has been sanctioned, said Sheikh Mushtaq Ahmad, secretary to government, general administration department.

The Secretary, who issued an order to this effect, said a 17-member monitoring panel headed by chief minister Omar Abdullah had been constituted to supervise the implementation of women-centric schemes and programmes in the state.

The body will help provide acess to health, drinking water, sanitation facilities to women and girls in schools from primary to class 12.

Steps will also be taken to improve skills of women and attach them to self help groups. Gender sensitisation and dissemination of information, prevention of crime against women and taking steps for a safe environment for women would also be taken up.