Srinagar: On International Women’s Day 2023, students Wednesday said that people across the globe need to change their ‘negative mindset’ towards the women folk in order to bring equality in the society.
One of the students of Government College for Women M A road Srinagar Khazeena Kundangar said, “We need to empower each other and only then we can help the under-marginalized female folks to grow with the rest of the world.”
She said, “Most important problem is that the women folk themselves don’t let each other grow.”
Speaking about some of the issues faced by the female folk, the 4th semester student Khazeena further said, “Some of the females, who after giving birth to their wards are being body-bullied, shamed, trolled and roasted for not maintaining themselves.”
She added that people need to change their negative mindset towards the female society. “They need support to be as equal as men.”
“If any of the mothers wants to take care of their health by joining a gym or any fitness centre they too are being bullied for doing it.” Khazeena said.
Meanwhile, another student of the college, Muskaan Nargis who had showcased frames of her poetry in the exhibition said, “Every year, our college is celebrating International Women’s Day and this year the college authorities initiated an exhibition for its students to showcase their talent.”
Muskaan said that the motive to celebrate the International Women’s Day every year is to encourage the women folk.
“I believe that all men and women are equal and the people who have pessimistic thoughts and perception towards the women folk should change their mentality to bring positive reforms in the society,” she said.
Muskaan further said, “My message to every person would be that if any woman is struggling in any field should continue that because after every hardship there is progress.”
“There are a number of issues the women folk are still facing in this 21st century which needs to be redressed to bring equality,” she added.
Pertinently, Womens College M A Road Srinagar on Wednesday celebrated International Women’s Day 2023.
On the occasion, Director Colleges Jammu and Kashmir Dr Yasmeen Ashai and Vice Chancellor (VC) of University of Kashmir (KU) Prof Neelofar Khan were the guests of the event.
Prof Neelofar Khan delivered a special address on the occasion while Director Colleges, Dr Yasmeen Ashai delivered the keynote address.
Earlier, Principal of the host college, Prof Ruhi Jan Kanth welcomed the guests and highlighted the relevance of the day.
Other prominent personalities including Naseem Shafaie and Roma Wani also spoke on the occasion.
On the occasion, several activities were organised as part of the programme.
Several cultural skits by students including song and dance performances were also part of the event.
The guests and alumni of the college were felicitated in the concluding ceremony.
The day-long event was organised by the Women’s Study Centre of the college and was attended by students and faculty members of the college.
Exhibition was also hosted by the college which was organized by an NGO Self-help group.
In the exhibition, handmade products, frames of the poetry of its students, calligraphy and other products were showcased. (KNO)
Govt grants 60 day ‘Special Maternity Leave’ to woman employee
The Jammu & Kashmir government has decided to grant a special maternity leave of 60 days to a woman employee in case of the death of a child soon after the birth or stillbirth with some conditions.
According to a notification in this regard has been issued by Director General Codes, Finance Department, the condition includes that “in case a maternity leave has already been availed by a woman employee and her leave continues till the date of expiry of (a) child soon after birth/stillbirth, the maternity leave already availed till death of the child may be converted into any other kind of leave available in her leave account without insisting for a medical certificate”.
A Special Maternity Leave of 60 days may be granted from the date of expiry of a child soon after birth or stillbirth in case the maternity leave has not been availed by a woman employee, the notification reads, adding, “60 days of Special Maternity Leave may be granted from the date of expiry of (a) child soon after birth/stillbirth.”
As per the notification, the condition for the death of a child soon after birth may be defined as up to 28 days after birth. A baby born with no signs of life at or after 28 weeks of gestation may be defined as stillbirth and the benefit of Special Maternity Leave shall be admissible only to a woman employee with less than two surviving children, it reads.
The other rules as per order include that Special Maternity leave shall not be debited against the leave account and may be combined with any other kind of leave, and during the period of such leave, she shall be paid leave salary equal to pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave, the notification mentions. (KNO)