Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Apr: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today described the Nari Shakti Vandan Act as a historic and transformative step towards empowering women.
Addressing the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan organised by the Uttarakhand State Commission for Women at the Government Doon Medical College auditorium, he said the legislation passed by Parliament in 2023 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. He also added that that the strength, courage and dedication of women form the foundation of societal and national progress.
Dhami said the move is not merely about increasing representation but about ensuring meaningful participation of women in the policy-making process. Referring to traditional wisdom, he noted that even divinity is incomplete without Shakti and asserted that no society or nation can truly progress without empowering its women. He observed that women today are contributing across sectors, from agriculture and entrepreneurship to governance and national leadership, and are playing a decisive role in shaping the country’s future.
The CM said that, for decades, women had not received their due recognition, but a new era of empowerment had begun with focused initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Jan Dhan Yojana, Matritva Vandana Yojana and Swachh Bharat Mission. He added that the state government was equally committed to strengthening women’s participation in education, employment and entrepreneurship through initiatives such as the Uttarakhand State Rural Livelihood Mission, Sashakt Bahna Utsav Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Mahila Self-Help Group Empowerment Scheme.
Highlighting the economic empowerment, he said efforts are being made in Uttarakhand to promote products made by women’s groups under a unified brand and to take local products to global markets through the “House of Himalayas” initiative. He added that more than 2.65 lakh women in the state have achieved annual incomes exceeding Rs 1 lakh under various livelihood schemes. The state has also implemented 30 per cent reservation for women in government jobs and introduced the Uniform Civil Code to strengthen their rights and security.
Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said the Act would significantly enhance women’s participation in politics and decision-making, while Uttarakhand’s Women Empowerment and Child Development Minister Rekha Arya noted that the Act places women at the centre of governance rather than merely offering representation. Vice Chancellor of Doon University Prof Dr Surekha Dangwal also addressed the gathering.
A large number of women achievers were also honoured on the occasion. Among those present on the occasion were MLA Savita Kapoor, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Kusum Kandwal, Chairperson of the Child Protection Commission Dr Geeta Khanna, Padma Shri awardee Madhuri Barthwal, and BJP State General Secretary Deepti Rawat.
