On International Women’s Day, Lieutenant Governor, R K Mathur, e-inaugurated Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) and One Stop Centre (OSC) in Kargil on March 8.

Quoting the theme of International Women’s Day, “Let us all Change to Challenge,” L G Mathur said that everyone- be it, men or women- has to be a part of the change. He urged them to accept this challenge to ensure equal opportunity and place to women in society. 

He stated that Ladakhi women enjoy respect and independent status compared to the rest of the country. “There are countable numbers of women achievers in Ladakh, be it in sports, entrepreneurship, medical, IT, academics, and other fields, which is a matter of pride,” added Mathur. 

Citing the example of the ongoing ‘Enchanting Ladakh’ event at New Delhi, LG Mathur said the participation of women from remote villages of Ladakh in the event is a sign of progress and development of the region. He spoke about the need to run a publicity campaign that aims to promote the handloom and handicraft sector by focusing on locally homemade products by women. 

Sharing some data from the National Health Survey of Ladakh for the year 2015-16 and 2019-20, the Lt. Governor expressed serious concern over the huge literacy gap between male and female, which is 93:76.8%, and stressed the need to work on it. He also underlined the rise in the percentage of cesarean birth, overall weight gain, anaemia, sexual violence among women over the last five years and emphasized taking measures to improve it. 

He appealed particularly to the political executives to initiate a mission mode campaign to ensure 100% school enrolment and zero dropouts between the age group of 3 to 14 for this academic year under the New Education Policy. He exhorted on the need for all to work together towards improving the female literacy rate in Ladakh keeping the view the high birth ratio of a girl child over a boy. However, he said that the positive trends like celebrating the birth of a girl child in Ladakh, high enrolment of girls in schools and colleges, national and international women achievers in sports, academics, etc are overwhelming and women hold a bright future. 
  
Chairman, LAHDC Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan expressed his gratitude to LG Mathur for launching the Mahila Shakti Kendra and the One-Stop Centre and assured him to utilize it to full potential. He also requested LG Mathur to open a women's police station in Kargil.

Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Executive Councillor (Agriculture), LAHDC Leh, Stanzin Chospel also spoke on the occasion.

Administrative Secretary, Social/ Tribal Welfare Department, Padma Angmo, highlighted the achievements of women from Ladakh. She said Ladakhi women have not only made the region proud in academics but all spheres of life. She apprised Ladakhi women of various schemes implemented by the Social Welfare Department for females, including Poshan Abhiyan and Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Yojana.  

A video depicting the status of Ladakhi women was screened during the event. Mobile phones and iron pots were given to Anganwadi workers (AWWS) and Anganwadi centers (AWCs) under the Poshan Abhiyan scheme.  
 
Photo Caption: During the e-inauguration of Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) and One Stop Centre (OSC) in Kargil by Lieutenant Governor, R K Mathur.