Chandigarh, March 5, 2021-Provided equal opportunity, a woman can contribute equally in any field, said Smt. Devpreet Singh, Additional Director General (Region), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. She said while welcoming the participants during a webinar on “Empowerment of Women” organised today by Press Information Bureau and Regional Outreach Bureau, Chandigarh.While appreciating the role of women in the fight against the covid pandemic she said that we need to introspect on whywomen need to work twice as hard in every field to prove their mettle.

Ms. V. Neerja, IPS, ADGP (Welfare), Punjab Police said that any violence against women impacts the whole society and country’s economy.Shefurther said that if a woman has to livein fear every day,women empowerment takes a backseat. Removal of this fear is important to achieve their empowerment. She emphasized that we require more synergized activities from law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to ensure women safety is provided and protected.

Ms. Prabjyot, Gender Specialist, Social Welfare Department, Chandigarh talked about the various forms of discrimination being faced by women at different stages of her life. She stressed that there is a need to develop more awareness among women regarding different rights so that they can grow without fear. She further mentioned that as a society, we have responsibility to report crimes against women.

Expressing her views, Ms. Poonam Negi,a woman achiever from Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh said that a supportive environment towards girl child is a must for her empowerment. She also shared her experience of being a women trucker (truck driver) in the state of Himachal Pradesh. She also pointed out that in today’s time, women are no less than men in all the fields.

Smt. Sulakhshna Bramta, Regional Programme Head, Big FM 92.7 while deliberating on various challenges being faced by women in media industry said that it is also one of the important stakeholders in women empowerment.

The session concluded with Shri Rajesh Bali, Field Publicity Officer, Field Outreach Bureau, Chandigarh presenting a vote of thanks to all the participants. Smt. Sapna, Assistant Director, Regional Outreach Bureau, Chandigarh moderated the session which was also attended by officials of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting from Chandigarh region.