 Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 28: The women empowerment Committee of Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT) on Wednesday organized a one day seminar on the theme "Tribal Gujjar Women's Fight Against Marginalization: An Insight Into Their Socio-Economic Conditions here today.
The seminar was presided over by the Chairman of the Trust Shah Mohammad Chowdhary, Advocate. Earlier the seminar was inaugurated by Chairman, Madam Farida Javed, Chairperson of Women Empowerment Committee and Shokat Javed founder Trustee.
Vice Chairperson Mussarat Chowdhary, Assistant Professor conducted the proceedings. Besides several prominent Gujjar Women like Professors/Academicians, Teachers, Doctors and other professionals, DDC Members, Corporators, Sarpanches and Panches also participated.
Prominent among those who participated include Razia Begum, Principal , Shama Akhtar, corporator,ward 71, Sidhra, Shamim Akhtar , DDC Member Block Dansal, Sureiya Begum DDC Bari Brahamana, Parveen Akhtar Panch, Raika , , Dr Nasreen , Medical Officer, Ifra Kak, Cultural Officer Jammu University, Dr Rifhat, Zubeda Chouhan and Scholar Nazia Choudhary Assistant Prof in Dogri broadly elaborated various issues confronting women from Gujjar and Bakarwal community in J&K. Besides several other prominent women from Gujjar and Bakkarwal community were also present on the occasion.
In his inaugural speech, Chairman of the Trust Shah Mohd Chowdhary while speaking on the given topic said that Gujjar women of J&K form a distinct category and at the same time they also share the depreciation from which Gujjar women suffer. Choudhary further said that the Gujjar women form the lowest category in terms of various indices of social and economic status. They spent a lot of time not only in managing their homes but also their animals and most of the time their contribution remains unrecognized. The economic position of nomadic and sedentrized Gujjar women are very unique. A tribal woman hard-work and contribution to the family income has not always helped to raise her status in the society. The need of the hour is to ensure proper education for children of this nomadic community to enhance the decision making power of younger generation by providing suitable platforms so that in no case these children are deprived from the light of education which now days a prime necessity to contribute socially, economically, culturally and above all in maintaining integrity and sovereignty of country.
Madam Farida Javed, Chairperson said that Gujjar women are treading new paths to achieve socio-political and economic empowerment. "We all should not only appreciate their endeavour, but also help them in achieving equality in real sense of the term," she added.
She said women folk of community with the dint of hard work today has attained everything which few years ago was a distant reality for community. There is no denying to the fact that there is no dearth of talent among Gujjar-Bakarwal women, the only drawback is serious efforts on part of Govt and also community members who have done well in various fields lack of time and approach to steer their lives towards economic prosperity.
While speaking on the occasion, Razia Begum, Principal , Shama Akhtar, corporator,ward 71, Sidhra, Shamim Akhtar , DDC Member Block Dansal, Sureiya Begum DDC Bari Brahamana, Parveen Akhtar Panch, Raika , , Dr Nasreen , Medical Officer, Ifra Kak, Cultural Officer Jammu University, Dr Rifhat and Scholar Nazia Choudhary Assistant Prof in Dogrisaid Gujjar women should believe in themselves and strive hard for carving a niche in their respective fields.
Vice Chairperson Mussarat Chowdhary in her address said that the need of the hour is to ensure Gujjar Women's full participation in all spheres of society, including participation in the decision-making process and access to power which is fundamental for the achievement of equality. |
