Showkat Lone
“A women is the full circle within her is the power to create, nurture & transform”
Empowerment of Women means increasing the solidity of the women Socially, Educationally, Economically, Politically & Psychologically. There are 3 Ls of women empowerment which includes Learning, Labour & Leadership. Learning helps women to get unbounded knowledge leading to broaden their thoughts & overcome adversities. Thus, emerging as leaders of todays generation. Women empowering has five components are womens sense of self-worth, womens right to have and to determine choices, womens right to have access to opportunities and resource, womens right to have power to control their own lives, both within and outside the home and womens ability to influence the direction of social change to create more social and economic order, nationally and internationally.
There is a saying SANSKRITA STREE PARASHAKTI meaning an enlightened women is a source of infinite strength. In education sector, special emphasis have been given to girls education through various central as well as state Govt schems namely BEP, ADDEP, DPEP, SSA, RMSA, SS, NPEGEL, KGBV, BETI PADHAO BETI BACHAO etc.
According, to Mahatma Gandhi, If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate women you educate an entire family. Education, plays an important role in socio-economic development of the nation. In the yesteryear, womens education was arduous and considered inconsequential. Awareness about womens education through generations have helped in moulding the future of young minds and bringing out the finest talents from remote villages. There were various fundamental factors listed out such as poverty, societal norms which has stopped a girl from pursuing her education. Predominant among them was Child’ which became an impediment in the academic progress of women. This was quite prevalent amongst most of the villages in India. Villages in Kashmiri Valley are no exemption to such traditions. With three decades of terrorism the hardships and basic framework of the socio economic aspect & education has foundered. With the help of various Government schemes, Kashmir has begun to regain its peace and youth of the UT has been moulded in the right track of Education and building a better future for themselves. Sabreena Khaliq of Kupwara district has been lately receiving attention and appreciation from the people of her hometown for her achievements. In her late 20s, she has topped in Class 10 Bi-annual Examination with 93% setting an example for an entire generation of women of her age. Sabreenas education was held back as she got married in her teens. Her dream of studying further took a pause for almost a decade due to the marital responsibilities bestowed upon her. Inspite of being a mother of 3 children, her determination to pursue education was incessant. She decided to resume her studies and was focused on clearing the examination amongst all her responsibilities. Sabreenas family has stood firmly with her by giving wings to her dreams. People who support their daughter -in laws dream after marriage are seldom seen. Sabreena is fortunate to be with such family members who encouraged her to continue her studies post marriage. Sabreenas dedication has paid off and has carved a niche for herself as a shining example to inspire Kashmiri women. She has not just cleared the exams but topped with distinction, breaking the grounds for other women who wanted to pursue their education. Educating Women plays a significant role in building a progressive future for the upcoming generations. Supporting women in academics helps in curbing social inequalities and gender bias, that enables them to be a part of larger work force which is crucial for Indias socio-economic growth. The success story of Sabreena is an eye-opener for post-marital academic transitions in existing cultural milieu where women can progress in her career without succumbing to whims and fancies of societal pressure. Let us pledge to eradicate child marriages, enable gender equality and practice fairness in all spheres of life with both men and women together to create a formidable work force towards nation building.
