SHILLONG: Vijaya Rahatkar, former Mayor of Aurangabad and the National President of the BJP Mahila Morcha interacted with a cross section of women from various organisations and walks of life at the Assam House here on Monday.
Lauding Meghalaya for being a little known yet beautiful state, Rahatkar said she was in the city to understand the specific problems that women in the state face and to encourage them to become nation builders in their own way.
“The BJP Government came to power because women voted overwhelmingly for the party. Now Prime Minister Modi wants all home makers to also become nation builders because the home is the crux of society and women play an integral role in building and nurturing the family even while they simultaneously pursue their careers.”
She said that gender equality will come about only when parents treat their sons and daughters equally and give both equal opportunities for education and also by instilling a sense of self confidence in their daughters even while keeping a vigilant eye on the activities of their sons. Speaking of herself she said she was propelled into politics after the 73rd and 74th Amendment Act that allocated 33 percent seats for women in urban local bodies. “Reservation has brought in much change and empowered women politically,” she said.
Pointing at the low sex ratio Rahatkar said the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Parhao’ scheme was intended to correct the skewed sex ratio. “Many of us employ people in our homes, offices or factories. Let us enable the girl-child of those workers to be in school or provide them the necessary skills for gainful employment,” adding that under the skill development programme of the present government there are 600 listed courses and the skill development fee for every person under the age of 35 is paid for by the Government.
Rahatkar also pointed to the loans being made available by MUDRA Bank which ranges from microfinance of up to Rs 50,000 or from 50000-10 lakh and from 10-30 lakh at 12% interest without the need for collateral. “If a bank refuses to give loan to any woman, it will have to give reasons in writing for the refusal. 80% of MUDRA loan is for women in the microfinance sector. I appeal to all of you here to help women in need to avail this loan.”
Pointing to the PM Ujwala Yojna where about 2 crore households now have gas connections, Rahatkar said that the next phase would be to achieve a target of another 3 crore households. She also pointed out to the new Maternity Bill which will allow women maternity leave of 26 weeks instead of the older one of 12 weeks.
The Mahila Morcha President also informed that the Draft National Policy for Women is now on the website of the Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry, and urged the women to go through the bills and make suggestions that could be included in the final Bill. She also said that the Draft Surrogacy Bill which is succour for women who cannot conceive is being redrafted. That Bill too is in the WCD website and is open to suggestions. “The surrogate mother has to be taken care of and surrogacy should not be abused,” Rahatkar stated.
Expressing her anguish at the poor nutritional status of women and children Rahatkar said the NDA Government is giving Rs 6000 to women at the pre and ante-natal stage to take care of their nutrition.
When pointed out that Meghalaya has very high infant and maternal mortality rates, Rahatkar said the State Women’s Commission should be pursuing this matter vigorously and if necessary seek the help of the National Commission for Women for adequate resources.
“When it comes to women’s welfare there should be no politics,” Rahatkar emphasised.
