National Conference (NC) Thursday said the women’s political participation besides being a human right was also a key to thriving democracy and the party had traditionally and frontally worked to end gender bias.
A statement of NC issued here said that NC’s Women’s Wing President Shameema Firdous, while welcoming scores of women into the party fold at Nawai Subh party headquarters in Srinagar, stressed over the significant role played by the NC’s women’s wing functionaries, delegates, and workers for upholding and rallying around the party flag during the most trying times.
The statement said she asserted the cornerstone of the development programme of the party was to empower the youth of J&K saying that once in power, the party had always prioritised implementing gender-neutral, youth-focused policies and programmes.
“The past few years have seen a lack of initiatives by the government towards emancipation of the youth. Youth policy is multi-pronged that involves effective investment in a number of different areas like employment, education and leisure. I hope that the new entrants will enthusiastically promote the party programme and the young woman functionaries will have to play a pivotal part in mobilising the youth,” Firdous said. “We have a capable, sincere leadership and a legacy of service and sacrifice to bank on. The people of J&K, especially the youth have pinned high hopes on Omar (Abdullah) Sahab. It is our duty to strengthen the efforts of Farooq (Abdullah) Sahab and Omar Sahab. By the grace of Almighty and with the active participation of youth, we will be able to push the youth of J&K to safer shores.”
Welcoming them into party fold Firdous said that she was hopeful that the party would benefit from the wide experience and academic qualifications of the new entrants.
She said she hoped the new entrants would work to strengthen the party at grass root level.