The Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul said that financial empowerment of women would help in changing the mindset of society that discriminates on the basis of gender. He said special skill development programmes would have to be conducted to make women skilled and financially independent. The Governor was speaking at a programme “Ham hain Betiyan” organised jointly at Uttarakhand Technical University by Song and Drama Division, Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Women and Child Development ministry.
The governor said that the Prime Minister’s “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme had started a social revolution. He said that without the progress of women, no society could progress. Paul said that a strict act had been implemented a few years ago to check female foeticide but very few complaints had been received from the people.He said the narrow mindedness regarding women was a social problem and this would have to be resolved not only by law but also by bringing about social change.
The governor further said that women had proved themselves whenever and wherever they had been given opportunities. He said financial empowerment would give confidence to women. Women’s education was thus very important. He said that the skill development programme of the prime minister would help women through special programmes for developing their skills. Crime against women must also be checked by creating a society where boys would learn to respect girls.
Agriculture minister Subodh Uniyal said that boys and girls had the same capabilities and should be given equal opportunities. These days, girls were, in fact, more successful. The governor honoured those women who had been selected by the organisers for their achievements. Girls who had won a contest were also honoured. The Uttarakhand Technical University vice chancellor US Rawat and others were present on the occasion.