Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the mainstreaming of Jammu and Kashmir has led to a visible surge in women’s aspirations, reflected in rising confidence, competitiveness, and leadership across sectors.
The Minister said, “Women from J&K are emerging as equal stakeholders in India’s growth, excelling in competitive exams, startups, self-help groups, science, technology and public service.”
Addressing “Shakti Samwad,” an interactive meeting with State Women Commissions organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) at SKICC, Dr Singh noted that the last decade has witnessed democratisation of opportunities, enabling women to transition from participation to leadership roles across professions and institutions. He emphasised that societal mindset must adapt to women increasingly leading from the front.
The event, led by NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, was attended by senior officials, State Women Commission members, and representatives from various states and UTs.
Dr Singh appreciated the NCW for extending engagement beyond conferences to connect directly with grassroots women. Highlighting the national-level interaction in Srinagar, he said it sends a strong message about the importance of J&K and its women. He expressed confidence that “Shakti Samwad” would further catalyse women’s contribution to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The Minister noted that women in J&K endured decades of terrorism and instability, with many families suffering irreparable losses. The improving environment has created new opportunities for women to reconnect with the national mainstream and participate fully in the region’s developmental transformation.
Dr Singh added that following the abrogation of Article 370 and expansion of welfare initiatives, women in J&K increasingly receive the same opportunities and benefits as women across India.
