Geneva, Switzerland – At the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Darakshan Hassan Bhat, representing Rashtriya Sewa Kendra Sangh (RSKS), underscored the remarkable advancements in the empowerment of women and girls across Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Bhat highlighted substantial social and economic transformations within the Union Territory, attributing this progress to robust government initiatives and active community participation. “The future of Jammu & Kashmir is bright, determined, and unequivocally female,” she asserted, emphasizing the increasingly pivotal role women play in the region’s development trajectory.

Key indicators presented by Bhat illustrate this paradigm shift. The female labour force participation rate in J&K has reached an impressive 34.1 per cent, surpassing the national average. This metric, she noted, signifies evolving social norms and a burgeoning economic independence among women.

Furthermore, government-led employment programmes have been instrumental, facilitating wage employment for over half a million women in the past five years. “Through targeted employment programmes, women are gaining financial independence and strengthening the resilience of their households,” Bhat explained, detailing how these efforts bolster household stability.

Institutional support has been significantly amplified through initiatives like Mission Shakti, which is dedicated to ensuring the safety, security, and overall empowerment of women. Under its twin verticals—Sambal and Samarthya—thousands of women have accessed critical resources including skill development training, legal aid, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Bhat also detailed the strengthening of support mechanisms designed to protect and assist women, such as One Stop Centres, dedicated women’s helplines, emergency response systems, and specialized women help desks. Concurrently, economic and social empowerment programmes under Samarthya have positively impacted over 1.16 million women.

The burgeoning involvement of women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) was also a focal point, with more than 700,000 women now benefiting from micro-credit facilities and robust market linkages, thereby making direct contributions to local economic growth.

Social indicators reflect further progress, with the gender ratio in J&K improving from 918 in 2011 to 942 in 2019, a testament to programmes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter). Bhat additionally confirmed that following the Abrogation of Article 370, crucial legal protections for women, including the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, have been fully extended to the region.

Acknowledging the persistent challenges posed by cross-border terrorism, Bhat affirmed J&K’s unwavering march towards progress. “Despite persistent cross-border terrorism seeking to disrupt progress, India’s integrated model of empowerment stands firm,” she concluded. The activist reiterated that the increasing participation of women in education, employment, and governance is forging a new and hopeful future for Jammu and Kashmir.